One duplex housing unit was badly damaged and several more received signifcant damage in an explosion caused by a propane leak Feb. 3, 2012 in the Coleville, Calif., off-base military housing neighborhood. Thirty-eight families were temporarily displaced for safety reasons while authorities inspected the systems and infrastructure of the area. Residents began returning to their homes within 24 hours once inspectors verified no furhter leaks in the propane distribution system. (Offical Marine Corps photo by Capt. Nick Mannweiler)
MARINE CORPS MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING CENTER, BRIDGEPORT, Calif. (Feb. 5, 2012) - After extensive safety inspections of all housing units, systems and structures, the command team of the Mountain Warfare Training Center gave approval to most residents of the Coleville housing area to begin returning to their homes today.
At a "town hall" meeting, Col. Phillip W. Chandler informed the families of his command that the propane distribution system passed pressure tests throughout the night and each house was checked sequentially to ensure no gas leaks were detected.
The priorities of focus for the command leadership were people, places, processes. The first priority was the safety, care and sheltering of the families. Following that, conditions were set for fire and safety investigators to begin systematically checking the infrastructure of the housing area and the structural integrity of the housing, classifying each buildling based on severity of damage and ability to safely and comforably shelter a family. The command is entering the third phase, focusing on the processes and procedures that will enable a return to daily life.
Of the 38 families that were displaced by this incident, all but 18 families have returned to their homes. The homes of eleven families were rendered uninhabitable by the Friday night blast due to structural damage or foundation damage. Eleven homes were coincidentally unassigned in the housing area and those impacted families have received the keys to their new homes. The remaining seven families will return based on their individual timelines and needs.
The logistical efforts are underway for teams of Marines to begin moving each family into their new home. Insurance policies covering each home in the neighborhood will ensure that all damages and losses are covered at no expense to the families occupying them. The members of the community are banding together during this difficult time to ensure the well-being of each member of the command family. We will keep faith with our Marines, sailors and their families. Marines take care of their own.
Of the two injured people from the accident, the service member being treated at Renown Medical Center in Reno, Nev., has been released from the hospital and has united with their family member still in critical condition at University of Calif., Davis Medical Center. Representatives of the command were dispatched to aid the Hardin family and the family of the two injured people within hours of the explosion.
To provid the MWTC commanding officer with Marine Corps level support for his efforts, Maj. Gen. Raymond C. Fox, commanding general, Training and Education Command, is on scene. Brig. Gen. Vincent A. Coglianese, commanding general, Marine Corps Installations West, will conduct a visit of the site tomorrow.
By submitting a comment you consent to our rules. You must use your real first and last name, not a nickname or alias. A comment here is just like a letter to the editor or a post on Facebook. Thank you.
