PRESS/MEDIA RELEASE
INCIDENT TYPE: 1st Alarm Propane Leak
INCIDENT DATE: 6/26/26
INCIDENT TIME: 17:21
INCIDENT LOCATION: Garnet Hill Road
SUNAPEE APPARATUS ON SCENE: Engine 2, Tanker 4, Forestry 6, Utility 2
INCIDENT COMMANDER: Acting Chief Pollari
Sunapee Fire Department Responds to Major Propane Leak Following Severe Thunderstorm
On Friday, June 26, at 5:21 PM, the Sunapee Fire Department was dispatched to an address on Garnet Hill Road for an active propane leak after a tree, brought down by a severe thunderstorm moving through the area, fell onto a large propane tank.
At the time of the dispatch, Sunapee Forestry 6 and two firefighters were already committed to a service call involving a flooded basement on Winn Hill Road. After quickly clearing that incident, Forestry 6 responded directly to the propane leak.
Sunapee Forestry 6 arrived on scene at 5:26 PM, where firefighters confirmed an active propane leak from the damaged tank. Command was established, and due to the seriousness of the incident, the response was immediately upgraded to a First Alarm Building Fire Assignment.
Mutual aid resources were requested, including:
- Engines from Newport Fire Department and New London Fire Department
- Tankers from Croydon Fire Department and Springfield Fire Department
- A station coverage engine from the Newbury Fire Department
Sunapee Engine 2 arrived at 5:30 PM and immediately deployed a 2½-inch handline equipped with a Blitzfire ground monitor to create a continuous water stream used to disperse the accumulating propane vapors and reduce the risk of ignition.
Firefighters from Sunapee and the assisting departments worked together for more than two hours to safely control the incident while awaiting the arrival of the propane company. During that time, an estimated 20,000 gallons of water were used to disperse the propane vapors.
To sustain the operation, a tanker shuttle was established. Newport Fire Department set up a water supply operation at Granliden Beach, where responding tankers and engines continuously filled and transported water to the scene. This coordinated operation ensured a constant water supply throughout the incident.
At approximately 7:45 PM, the propane company arrived and successfully plugged the damaged tank, stopping the leak. Mutual aid companies were released from the scene at approximately 8:00 PM.
Sunapee Fire Department personnel remained on scene until 10:31 PM, assisting the propane company and standing by while the remaining propane was safely pumped from the damaged tank to prevent any further release.
The Sunapee Fire Department would like to thank all of our mutual aid partners for their outstanding assistance and teamwork during this prolonged incident. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to Sunapee Town Hall for providing dinner to the firefighters operating on scene throughout the evening.
Incidents such as this highlight the importance of the strong mutual aid partnerships shared throughout our region. Through teamwork, coordinated operations, and a reliable water shuttle system, firefighters were able to safely manage a potentially dangerous emergency without injury to responders or the public.
Press Release Submitted by Lieutenant/Public Information Officer Timothy White
603-558-7929
fire [at] sunapeenh.gov (fire[at]sunapeenh[dot]gov)