January 16, 2007, 12:00:00AM. By Heidi Turner

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Cincinnati, OH: Further proof came last month that if you smell a propane leak in your home, you should leave immediately rather than trying to find the leak and fix it yourself.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, a man was burned when a propane explosion blew up his home in late December. The man smelled propane prior to the explosion and was downstairs looking for the leak when his home exploded. He was using propane indoors to fuel his fireplace for heat. Investigators said that the propane leak must have been substantial for the victim to smell it upstairs because propane is heavy and settles to the lowest point possible first. The victim told investigators that the smell of propane was strong enough that it woke him up from his sleep. Inspectors at the scene said that the home would likely be condemned because damage was so extensive. Luckily, the victim is expected to make a full recovery.

Another propane explosion victim, this one in Tahoka, Texas is lucky to be alive after January 11. The man had a leaking propane tank in his home and was trying to turn his gas fire heater off when his home exploded. The victim suffered from severe burns over his entire body. Pieces of the man's home were found blocks away from the site of the explosion.

Meanwhile, in California, a 60-year-old man suffered first-degree burns to his face after his lighter sparked a propane tank explosion. Investigators on scene believe a spark from the lighter ignited propane fumes from a propane tank in the man's trailer.

In Dallas, Texas a 75-year-old woman died from injuries suffered as a result of a propane explosion under her home on January 12. Investigators on the scene believe there was a propane leak under the woman's home which was ignited by a heating unit. Neighbors arrived on scene after the explosion and dug the victim out of the rubble; however she died in hospital a couple of days later.

If you smell a propane leak in a building, leave the area immediately and phone the authorities from a safe distance. Do not stay in the building, do not attempt to locate the leak yourself and do not turn on anything that could ignite a flame, such as a light switch or a lighter. Always leave the building and have a qualified inspector check for leaks.

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