CPSC, AmeriGas Propane L.P. Announce Recall of Propane Cylinders

July 28, 2000Release # 00-152 AmeriGas Recall Hotline: (888) 428-9779 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052 CPSC, AmeriGas Propane L.P. Announce Recall of Propane Cylinders WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), AmeriGas Propane L.P., of Valley Forge, Pa., is recalling about 100 propane cylinders sold or exchanged at The Home Depot or Meijer's stores in the Detroit, Mich., area. Of these cylinders, about 10 could be overfilled, which can cause them to release flammable propane gas unexpectedly, posing a risk of fires and explosions. On July 19, 2000, some of the overfilled cylinders vented propane and ignited, causing an explosion at the AmeriGas plant in Willoughby, Ohio. One worker suffered minor burns. No consumer injuries have been reported. After investigating the source of the overfilled cylinders, AmeriGas determined the only AmeriGas office which delivered possibly overfilled cylinders to retail stores was its Trenton, Mich., office. No other AmeriGas location released overfilled cylinders to retailers or customers. Home Depots and Meijer's stores in the Detroit, Mich., area sold or exchanged these propane cylinders on July 17 through July 19. An AmeriGas "Prefilled Propane Xchange" or "PPX"® gas grill cylinder is white, and at the time of purchase, had a shrink-wrapped sleeve around it with the names "AmeriGas" and "PPX" on it. The cylinders sold for between $44 and $48