Employees evacuate Timken plant after propane tank leak

Ledger photo / TARA JENNINGS Some employees complained of difficulty breathing, dizziness and nausea. Twenty-four employees of The Timken Company's Gaffney Bearing Plant were taken to Upstate Carolina Medical Center after a major propane leak occurred at the plant.

According to Timken Plant Manager Mark Propst, the Gaffney Fire Department (GFD) was contacted at approximately 8 a.m. regarding a gas-like smell coming from the building located on 100 Timken Road just off Highway 29. Members of the GFD discovered a massive vapor cloud that had resulted from a significant leak in a propane tank.

Fortunately, employees had already been evacuated to the building's front lawn, helping emergency medical personnel get right to work to solve the problem.

"(Timken) had already evacuated by the time we got there," Cherokee County Emergency Preparedness Director Rick Peterson said. "Their efforts really made things easy in calming the situation."

Employees were transported across the highway to the auditorium at Broad River Electric by buses supplied by the Cherokee County School District.

Timken employees exit the plant after a propane tank began leaking Thursday. While firefighters tried to suppress the vapor cloud with water streams, area law enforcement agents began restricting traffic in addition to informing area homes, businesses and schools of the incident.

Persons transported to the hospital complained of difficulty breathing, dizziness and nausea.

The first patients began arriving at 8:58 a.m. after being transported by the hospital's Emergency Medical Services (EMS), AmbuStar and TransMed ambulance services. By early afternoon, most of the patients had been discharged.

"All of the injuries came as a result of the leak," Upstate Carolina Medical Center Public Relations Director Steve Wong said. "Fortunately, none of their problems were too severe and we were able to treat and release the patients."

Upstate Carolina Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Joe Howell was especially proud of the way the incident was handled.

"The hospital performed exceptionally well during this community emergency," Howell said. "I am proud of everyone, especially the emergency room staff, EMS, and Dr. Mark Huntley, who was the primary doctor today - their responses and efficiency were outstanding."

At least 6,000 gallons of propane leaked from the tank before authorities were able to shut off the tank's valve.

Thankful that the county had side-stepped what could have been a tragedy of mass proportions, Gaffney Fire Marshal Nathan Ellis was more than happy to share kudos with the Timken staff and emergency personnel.

"This was a major incident, but an even more major catastrophe was averted due to the actions of Timken staff to put their emergency procedures into place and the cooperative efforts of many emergency personnel," Ellis said.