STATE POLICE MAKE ARREST IN COVENTRY FLASH FIRE INCIDENT

   On November 29, 2010, State Police Detectives assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal were requested to respond to the scene of a fire that had occurred at Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Rd. Coventry.  Investigators determined that a propane company was refilling two 120 gallon propane cylinders outside a fully-occupied cafeteria of the school at approximately 12 noon.

   Coventry Fire Marshal Noel Waite requested investigative assistance from Troopers from the Office of the State Fire Marshal in the investigation of the report of a flash fire at the time that the tanks were being refilled.

   The investigation determined that prior to filling the cylinders, the propane delivery driver had intentionally opened the supply line/nozzle from his truck venting liquid propane to the area at the side of the cafeteria.  When this took place, the vented propane followed a penetration through the wall, finding its ignition source on the opposing side of the same wall in the school’s kitchen, causing this large exterior flash fire.

   The propane delivery driver, Joseph Liskiewicz,  DOB: 10/14/1968, 47 Miller Road, Preston, CT., sustained minor burn injuries. No other injury was reported.

   Troopers determined that State Statutes were violated based on the findings of this investigation. 

   The accused LISKIEWICZ was arrested for the charges of 53a-64 Reckless Endangerment 2^nd Degree, 29-335 Violation of the Connecticut Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code and was released on a promise to appear in Rockville Superior Court on December 14, 2010.

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Lt. J. Paul Vance