NEAR-DISASTER AS ZAMBONI EXPLODES AT L.I. RINK

NY Post ^ | 1-1-06 | C.J. SULLIVAN and SELIM ALGAR

[Pharmboy]

January 1, 2006 -- A Zamboni ice-grooming machine exploded at a Long Island skating rink yesterday afternoon, sending some 80 people — including many children — slipping and sliding to safety, authorities said. The frightening incident began after an employee at the Port Washington Skating Center — formerly owned by retired Islanders hockey star Brian Trottier — noticed a leak as he changed the propane fuel tanks on the device at about 3 p.m., police and fire officials said.

He went to fetch a manager — and when they returned the tank was on fire.

They quickly warned skaters, who managed to flee from the rink just seconds before the first tank exploded, blowing out the windows.

"It was very lucky," Port Washington Fire Chief Glen Pedersen said. "It was because it was a holiday and not many people were here. On a regular weekend the place is packed and it would have been very hard to evacuate."

Soon, a second, larger second blast violently shook the walls and tore a hole in the roof.

"On arrival the first chief saw people running everywhere and smoke coming out of the building," said Pedersen.

Amazingly, no one was hurt.

The owner of the Port Washington Skating Center for the last 11 years, Fred Neilsen, 57, said he didn't know how the tank caught fire but that the damages would put the rink on ice only for a few weeks.

"The damage wasn't as bad as we originally thought," he said. "We'll get a new Zamboni, that's for sure."

[Pharmboy]

At least no one got hurt...

[Tijeras_Slim]

I can't believe we don't have a Exploding Zamboni ping list yet.

[xcamel]

Very lucky indeed.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Oh no! The Zambonis are one of my fave bands!

[Blueflag]

Bad reporting. A leaking propane tank DOES NOT EXPLODE. The propane that leaked from the tank 'exploded'.

If the tank somehow ruptured, again, the leaking propane would explode.

Propane tanks DONT "explode" (pressure rupture) unless they are in the midst of a conflagration for a long enough period of time.

Harrumph.

[Pharmboy]

You asked for it, you got it!

Pinging the Exploding Zamboni Ping List

[Tijeras_Slim]

WOO HOO!

[martin_fierro]

[leadpenny]

There goes one of my New Year's Resolutions.

I was about to ask Jim if I could change my screen name to "Zamboni Driver."

[Pharmboy]

Thank you for the clarification. Because of your knowledge in this area you will now be added to the "Exploding Zamboni Ping List" as conceived of by fellow freeper Tijeras Slim. But please understand that this ping list may never be used again.

[atomicpossum]

Propane and propane accessories...and zamboni fuel.

[martin_fierro]

Zamboni accident = Zamboner.

[Pharmboy]

Leave it to MF to come up with the right cartoon in a nanosecond.

[xsmommy]

nice screen capture of xshub and xsboy at the rink there, marteen!

[Blueflag]

;-)

Zamboni's don't explode either. They aren't sufficiently combustible. The gases exploding inside the Zamboni might spray debris, but Zamboni's clearly don't explode.

Please put me on your exploding propane ping list. 8-p

[Tijeras_Slim]

Another reason Americans are superior to Canadians...

Lack of decent "Hot Wheels"^TM during those crucial formative years.

[csvset]

Zam - BOOM - ni ?

[null and void]

'morning, neighbor...

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Color me evil...but I am laughing.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

It's all fun until someone gets an eye poked out.

[don-o]

When Zambonis are outlawed....

[Tijeras_Slim]

I can't believe nobody's said "Better put some ice on that."

[martin_fierro]

Canadian comic book heroes were just lame.

[Pharmboy]

I can see it now: hundreds of outlaws on renegade Zambonis robbing the ice fishermen on the lakes of Minnesota.

[Tijeras_Slim]

[martin_fierro]

Because posts should be as didactic as possible.

[nuconvert]

not hockey, pong

[Talking_Mouse]

Please add me to the Exploding Zamboni Ping List

[don-o]

I want on, please. This Zamboni thing could become legendary here, and I want to get in early.

[jwpjr]

Thank you for pointing out the facts. I usually pen something to the same effect but since you've already done it I won't have to this time.

[sgtbono2002]

Next time when you discover a leak TURN THE FRICKIN VALVE OFF. Then you can go look for a manager.

[sgtbono2002]

Next time when you discover a leak TURN THE FRICKIN VALVE OFF. Then you can go look for a manager.

[brainstem223]

Hank Hill is that you? a freeper? LOL

[Mark was here]

This is no different than tanks on lift trucks, take the tank off if you smell propane, try a different tank. Most likely the gasket on the first tank is bad. If the second tank leads to a propane smell, take it off, then go get help.

[MinuteGal]

Tourists are invited to visit Gibsontown, Florida, the home to retired circus performers......including the surviving members of the famous "Exploding Zambonis" family. Parental discretion is advised.

Leni

[CurlyBill]

I've been around this game my entire life, and I've never heard of anything like this...

[mikrofon]

What's next -- Zamboni Demolition Derby?

[Renfield]

"Exploding Zamboni" sounds like a great name for a Pub.

[DieHard the Hunter]

Crikey!

[Willie Green]

But please understand that this ping list may never be used again.

"Old ping lists never die, they just fade away."

~ Arthur McGowan

[Hadean]

[Pharmboy]

You have earned a coveted spot on the Exploding Zamboni Ping List...

[hershey]

Thank goodness nobody was hurt. Did I ever mention the time in my life when the only people I recognized on sight were NHL managers? Two boys, four hockey teams. Endless road trips, practices, etc.. Then one night I got up around 11 pm, ate a piece of apple pie, and had a nagging thought. Had I forgotten something? So I went downstairs (didn't bother to turn on the light), and felt their beds. One kid was missing. I'd left him at a rink, come home and fallen unconscious. Hours and hours. He was okay, God bless him. But he was pretty mad.

[Pharmboy]

Now THERE'S an association that I might not have made without help...LOL!

[Pharmboy]

That may have a future on Spike TV...

[silverleaf]

And where were you when the Zamboni hit the fan?

[The Electrician]

The owner of the Port Washington Skating Center for the last 11 years, Fred Neilsen, 57, said he didn't know how the tank caught fire but that the damages would put the rink on ice only for a few weeks.

Yeah, just put some ice on it...

[Pharmboy]

That's a funny story...since it had a happy ending! Sounds like Home Alone...

[Robert A. Cook, PE]

Hookey (er, exploding hockey arena) alert!

[RGSpincich]

noticed a leak as he changed the propane fuel tanks on the device at about 3 p.m

Pilot error alert. The propane bottle stem will be found with the valve assembly in the open position./clairvoyance