Firehouse.com

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Jan. 7--SEMINOLE -- A Seminole man died when a tanker truck exploded near Seminole Wednesday.

Seminole Assistant Fire Chief Bryant Baker said his department received a call just after 9 a.m. to respond to the explosion at Tiger Tank Trucks.

When firefighters arrived they discovered the body of Richard Basque, 52.

Baker said the blast killed Basque immediately.

"He was using a propane heater torch to thaw a valve on the back of a tanker truck that hauls crude oil," Baker said. "From what we understand it's pretty well a common practice that these valves will stick because of the crude oil or low temperatures it will actually freeze shut."

Baker said the taker was empty but the flames somehow touched off fumes from inside causing the truck to explode.

Two other people were injured in the blast.

"We're being told that there were two others injured but they were transported by personal vehicle prior to our arrival," Baker said. "As far as the extent of those injuries, we have not heard from the hospital."

Baker said the explosion caused significant damage to the building and the shockwave blew out windows of neighboring businesses. He said the fire department received reports that effects of the explosion were felt up to two miles away.

"We are a mile-and-a-half away and we felt it here," Baker said.

Officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were at the facility Wednesday investigating the incident, Baker said.