Update: Propane tanks explode in Federal Way trash burn

Federal Way police and South King Fire and Rescue responded to a propane tank explosion early Tuesday morning.

At approximately 2:10 a.m. in the 1200 block of South 336th Street, firefighters were called to a fire that had started in a wooded area next to Kitts Corner Apartments.

While firefighters were on scene, three propane tanks exploded.

According to the police report, officers said area was a “transient camp.” South King Fire and Rescue Capt. Jeff Bellinghausen said, however, the 40-by-50-foot pile of garbage did not appear to be a homeless camp.

“It is our best estimate that it was not a camp, just a large pile of debris,” he said, noting there were not any shopping carts or mattresses in the area, nor did it have the appearance of someone living there.

However, on Jan. 16, Mirror staff toured the same area for a different story, “Federal Way creates Homeless Mothers and Children Initiative.” At that time, it was an active homeless encampment.

Bellinghausen did confirm there were signs of people living in the woods about 100 feet from the large trash fire.

“There are all types of debris in the pile including camp stoves and propane cylinders and it is believed that these cylinders may have ruptured accounting for the report of explosions,” Bellinghausen said.

South King Fire and Rescue extinguished the fire from a distance and soaked the surrounding area but deemed it too hazardous to enter in the dark. An officer checked the area to look for any victims or evidence but didn’t locate anything or anyone. Firefighters returned during daylight to finish assessing the scene.

Bellinghausen said a tree and some underbrush was scorched, but no buildings were affected. The fire was reported to be about 200 feet away from building K of Kitts Corner Apartments.