A fallen tree brought down an energized electrical wire and caused a propane leak outside a residential treatment facility in Canterbury early Friday morning.
At 2:48 a.m., crews responded to the Canterbury Behavioral Health clinic on Shaker Road, where a large tree had fallen across an above-ground 1000-pound propane tank.
Approximately 20 residents and staff were evacuated from the adjacent dormitory while crews monitored the propane levels in nearby buildings on the facility’s campus and set up a water supply in the event of a fire.
Since the energized wire was in contact with the propane tank, first responders could not reach the tank to shut off the valve. It took several hours to deenergize the power line, according to the Canterbury Fire Rescue.
With the power line deenergized, crews could access the damaged tank, stop the propane leak, monitor gas levels in adjacent buildings and return residents and staff to the dormitory.
Crews, including first responders with the Loudon, Belmont and Laconia fire departments, cleared the scene at 6:30 a.m. The Penacook Rescue and Capital Area Chief Coordinator Keith Gilbert also provided assistance.