NORFOLK, Neb. — Firefighter Scott Bonsall didn't think twice.
He crouched under a 30,000-gallon propane tank, even though huge flames were shooting at it from a broken pipe.
Bonsall methodically turned off three valves, extinguishing the propane-fueled fire, as a team of 15 others shot water at the tank.
“I trust the guys that were around me,'' said Bonsall, a firefighter for about two decades. “It's part of our job. We just do what we have to do.”
His actions helped avert disaster.
The shutting of the valves ended a nearly five-hour drama in which an estimated 8,000 people — about one-third of the city's population — were evacuated from their homes and businesses in south Norfolk. No injuries were reported.
“We dodged a bullet,” said Fire Chief Shane Weidner.
The fire started near a propane tank at the former Protient plant, a dry milk processing facility that has been closed for about a year. The plant has a new operator and was preparing to reopen.
A small explosion occurred shortly before 7 a.m. near a platform that held pipes and equipment that deliver propane into the plant. Ten to 12 workers reportedly were inside, but they got out safely.
When Norfolk firefighters arrived, they saw large flames billowing in the direction of the tank. Black, rolling smoke could be seen for miles. Firefighters began shooting water at the tank.
Authorities then made the decision to evacuate people. Weidner said the fear was that the tank would explode, leveling homes and businesses. The tank had been filled Wednesday with 25,000 to 30,000 gallons of propane.
The Fire Department initially sent in a team of three, including Bonsall, to learn as much about the tank as they could, getting within 150 yards. They were assisted by a State Patrol helicopter that shot video from above.
Weidner said he concluded that the best way to halt the fire was to close the valves. “That was the toughest call I ever made as chief,” he said.
Bonsall, 39, said he had been briefed on where the valves were and in what sequence they needed to be closed. He said it made sense for him to turn off the valves.
“It came down to everybody had certain jobs, and I knew what the tank looked like and I knew where the valves were,” Bonsall said.
As firefighters sprayed the tank to keep it cool, Bonsall crouched down and turned off a single valve.
Then he and the other firefighters backed off to see if there was any change in the situation. The procedure was repeated until all three valves were shut off.
“It was very choreographed,” said Bonsall.
The entire operation took about 30 minutes, Weidner said.
Bonsall said he tried to use fear to his advantage.
“If you're not scared, you shouldn't be doing the job,'' he said. “You work with the fear to keep your senses alert.”
People were notified about noon that it was safe to return to their homes. Shortly afterward, Mayor Sue Fuchtman stood in a fire station, sporting a big smile.
“I stand before you right now breathing a huge sigh of relief,” said Fuchtman.
About 10,000 people live in the area of south Norfolk that was evacuated, according to Census figures. Norfolk's latest population estimate is nearly 23,000. The city is about 100 miles northwest of Omaha.
The evacuated area was bordered by Norfolk Avenue on the north, Andy's Lake on the south, Victory Road on the east and 20th Street on the west.
“That constitutes, landmass-wise, about a third of the city,” said Al Roder, the Norfolk city administrator.
After the evacuation order was given, police pounded on doors and drove through neighborhoods, urging people within one mile of the propane tank to leave as quickly as possible.
The evacuation area included five elementary schools, a home for Alzheimer's patients and a food distribution business that employs about 700.
People gathered at three centers quickly set up around the city. They drank coffee and ate cheeseburgers and french fries supplied by local businesses and served by Red Cross volunteers.
Most appeared in good humor.
“I'm enjoying myself, mingling and getting out there and talking to people,” said Herman Klabunde, a father of two young girls.
Weidner and others said that the former Protient site was considered safe by the afternoon but that it would continue to be monitored. The cause of the fire had not been determined.
The next question for Norfolk is whether the Illinois company that intended to reopen the plant would go forward with its plans.
Dave Simonsen, executive director of the Elkhorn Valley Economic Development Council, said he had every reason to believe the project would continue on course.
World-Herald staff writer Bob Glissmann contributed to this report.
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