Propane tank explodes at Libertyville van fire

A propane tank caught fire and exploded Thursday morning near Butterfield School, Libertyville fire officials said. No one was injured.

A paving company was using hot tar to fill cracks on tennis courts behind the school at 1441 W. Lake Street when one of two propane tanks caught fire about 11:15 a.m., Libertyville Fire Chief Richard Carani said. The tank was attached to the tar-burner which heats up the tar used to patch the tennis courts, Carani said.

It's not clear what caused the tank to catch fire. Flames continued to burn from the tank even after the initial explosion. Firefighters used two hoses to cool - but not extinguish - the propane fire while the remaining gas escaped from the tank. The second propane tank did not explode, Carani said, but officials also sprayed water on it to keep it cool.

Carani said fire officials are investigating how the accident began.

No injuries were reported in the fire or the propane explosion, but 22 students were in the building taking part in a school program. Those students were moved to a different part of the building without injury, Carani said. The accident is not expected to delay the opening of school on Aug. 25.