One injured following propane tank explosion

SPRING HILL Fire units responded shortly after 2:20 p.m. Monday at the Heritage Propane Plant at 4690 Keysville Ave. following a propane tank explosion.

Cpl. Wendy McGinnis, of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, confirmed at least one person received minor injuries.

Some homes in the vicinity of the plant were evacuated as a precaution and fire police closed some of the roads in the area of Keysville and Northcliffe Boulevard, according to reports.

McGinnis announced shortly after 3 p.m. that residents were allowed to return to their homes after the main gas line was shut off and the fire was under control.

Spring Hill Fire Chief Mike Rampino said the injured man was an employee at Heritage. He was airlifted to Tampa General for his injuries.

Mark Tobert, a spokesman with Hernando County Emergency Management, said 434 customers in the area were without propane following the explosion.

He stated in a media release that roughly 100 people had their service restored by the end of that day Tuesday and everybody else's service would be reconnected by Wednesday afternoon.