Copiah County Explosion – A Propane Industry Warning on Safety Failures (Part One)
On January 14, 2024, a devastating propane tank explosion rocked Wilderness Road in Copiah County, Mississippi, killing four people and injuring two others. The victims included 43-year-old Calvin “Benjy” Jordan, his son Houston “Bubba” Jordan, 18, his nephew Toler Jordan, 14, and family friend Jeremy Mitchell, 52. Survivors, Mitzi Jordan and Samantha Britt, suffered severe burns and great trauma that will affect them for the rest of their lives. The explosion occurred around 2 p.m., just hours after Herring Gas Company serviced the home’s propane tank. A lawsuit filed days later alleged company negligence, pointing to improper tank inspection, installation issues, possible overfilling, and inadequate odorization of the gas.
Independent investigators uncovered that the tank was not the ASME stationary tank it had been recorded as, but instead a corroded 70-year-old DOT cylinder, unfit for continued use and vulnerable to rupture under pressure, especially in extreme temperatures. While the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office declared the cause of the explosion to be “undetermined” due to the extent of the damage, the plaintiffs’ report pointed squarely to human error and lack of training.
Legal and Financial Risks for Propane Companies
This tragedy demonstrates how quickly a lack of proper oversight can turn fatal. Civil lawsuits tied to such incidents can seek millions in damages for wrongful death, medical expenses, property loss, and emotional suffering. For propane companies, this is more than a business risk; owners and managers themselves may be held personally liable if courts find that they knowingly overlooked required safety protocols.
In addition to the high cost of lawsuits, OSHA fines for serious violations in 2025 exceed $150,000 per infraction. Repeated violations can result in corporate operating licenses being revoked. Combined with reputational damage, rising insurance premiums, and potential loss of customer trust, a single safety failure can financially destroy a company.
Unfortunate and Preventable Failures
The Copiah County blast likely stemmed from avoidable mistakes – an improperly identified tank, possible overfilling, insufficient odorization, and a lack of customer education about propane risks in cold weather. These failures underscore the importance of technician training, proper inspection protocols, and clear communication with customers.
Aiming for Stronger Safety and Documentation
For propane businesses, preventing a similar tragedy requires more than just compliance with NFPA 58 and OSHA regulations; rather, it requires a whole new standard of accountability. Traditional paper records are easily misplaced and often found to be incomplete or inaccurate, leaving companies vulnerable, as they are exposed to regulatory audits and potential lawsuits.
This is why many propane companies are now turning to innovative digital tools such as the Tank Spotter app. This resource enables technicians to record inspections, leak checks, and maintenance tasks in real time, with photo and video proof stored securely in the cloud. Several major insurance companies now recommend Tank Spotter to their propane clients and even offer premium discounts to those who use it, recognizing that it greatly reduces risks, improves compliance, and helps manage safety faster and more effectively.
By adopting key mobile documentation tools like the Tank Spotter app, propane businesses can demonstrate accountability, reduce liability, and build greater trust with regulators, insurers, and their customers, thereby helping to ensure that they never face the devastating consequences of a tragic yet preventable incident.
