Company warns of the dangers of gas

SHELTON, Conn. (WTNH) -- In Shelton three people were critically burned and a home was knocked off its foundation in an explosion Monday.

"That's a bad experience," said Michael Wheatcraft, of Shelton. "I mean they have skin hanging off of them and everything because they were burnt bad."

Disturbing accounts Monday just weeks after a New Milford man was killed while helping a neighbor with a propane leak.

"If you smell gas get out of the house," said Jay LeFrancois, Hocon Gas, "don't fix it yourself."

In Shelton, there were two gas company workers on site. Folks at Hocon Gas say the first thing their workers do with a new customer is let them know what to watch out for.

"They open the spit valve that's on the tank and they let them smell what it smells like because a lot of people don't know what it smells like," said LeFrancois.

You can also install CO and propane detectors. As heating season approaches these folks say you should have your furnace serviced, especially if it's been off for months.

"Spiders, dust, dirt, and then they try to light them and they don't light," said LeFrancois, "and that's where they have a problem."

Paula Bove isn't taking any chances with her propane stove.

"I noticed one of the flames inside was a little bigger at the end of the season last year and I didn't want to be tampering with it myself," said Bove, of Killingworth.

Even small propane tanks which are used for your portable grill need to be handled properly and stored outside. One of them is like a stick of dynamite.

The bottom line is if you smell gas don't try to save money and handle it yourself.

"Life's worth more than that," said LeFrancois. "Just shut it off, get out of the house, call 911."

Before others have to call it for you.