Devastating Storage Building Explosion in Lancaster County Spurs Community Support and Swift Evacuations

A catastrophic explosion shook a storage building in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on the morning of July 5, 2023, causing severe damage to a township building and multiple residences in the vicinity.

The blast occurred at the Rapho Township Public Works building, adjacent to the township administrative office building on North Colebrook Road, as reported by emergency dispatchers. Responding promptly to a worker’s report of a propane heater leak, crews from the Mastersonville Fire Company were dispatched at 5:49 a.m.

Shortly before 6 a.m., the explosion rocked the premises, leaving devastation in its wake. Remarkably, no injuries were reported, as confirmed by Brad Wolf, a supervisor with Lancaster County 911.

Following the explosion, a controlled procedure was implemented to burn off excess propane. Lori Shenk, representing the Rapho Township Emergency Management Agency, assured residents that the presence of flames was normal.

Propane contractors were on-site to offload residual product and manage the gas burn-off operation throughout the day, possibly extending into the next day.

The explosion narrowly avoided causing harm due to the quick actions of a worker who detected the scent of propane upon entering the building. The worker immediately evacuated after noticing a heater had fallen from the ceiling. It is worth noting that this employee had the habit of never turning on lights upon entering the premises, eliminating any potential spark hazard, as explained by Rapho Township Supervisor, Jere Swarr.

Despite the absence of casualties, the primary storage building, which housed essential road maintenance equipment such as dump trucks, snow plows, and backhoes, was entirely leveled by the force of the explosion. The extent of the damage is estimated to be in the millions of dollars, impacting critical infrastructure utilized for road upkeep.

Additionally, the Rapho Township building, which houses offices and conference rooms, sustained significant damage. Fortunately, this structure stands approximately 150 feet away from the storage facility and did not suffer the same fate. Supervisor Swarr expressed gratitude that no lives were lost, emphasizing the resilience and support of the Rapho Township community in dealing with this tragedy.

In response to the urgent need for assistance, neighboring municipalities, including the Mount Joy Borough and Manheim Borough, have extended their support. This remarkable display of solidarity was witnessed through the provision of road apparatus and equipment, as the township’s own assets were rendered inoperable by the explosion.

Furthermore, the Red Cross swiftly responded to aid families affected by the incident. Evacuations were carried out for six homes, and an evacuation center was established at the East Fairview Church of the Brethren on Fairview Road in Manheim, PA. The Red Cross’s dedicated disaster action team has been diligently providing comfort, care, and essential supplies such as water and snacks to the displaced residents.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this devastating event, the unwavering support from neighboring municipalities, local businesses, and the Red Cross serves as a testament to the strength and resilience of Rapho Township. Together, they are committed to rebuilding and rising above this adversity, ensuring the restoration of the heart of Rapho Township.