How Digital Documentation Protects Propane Companies From Legal Risks

On October 21, 2025, a devastating explosion in Bowne Township, Michigan, shook the propane industry. A home on Freeport Avenue near 100th Street was completely leveled after a propane tank exploded, sending two people to the hospital with serious burn injuries. The Freeport Fire Department confirmed that the blast triggered a fire that destroyed the residence and caused extensive damage to the surrounding property. Residents miles away reported feeling the shockwave.

Investigators quickly began examining the cause, pointing to a possible leak from the propane tank that allowed gas to accumulate before igniting. For propane companies, this tragic incident underscores a painful truth – even one overlooked safety step or undocumented inspection can change lives and ruin a business overnight.
Propane is one of the safest and most reliable energy sources when handled properly. But every company that installs, fills, or services tanks carries an enormous responsibility to ensure each step of the process meets code, follows NFPA standards, and is properly documented. In this industry, “trust but verify” is more than just a saying – it’s a legal necessity.

When explosions like the one in Bowne Township occur, investigators look first at three things: how the tank was installed, how it was maintained, and what documents exist to prove compliance. They ask for service logs, inspection reports, installation records, leak test documentation, and technician signatures. If those records are missing, incomplete, or inaccurate, company owners and managers immediately face greater legal exposure. The absence of clear documentation often becomes evidence of negligence. That’s when lawsuits, regulatory penalties, and insurance disputes begin, placing personal and professional reputations on the line.

What makes this especially concerning is that liability doesn’t end at the company level. Managers, safety supervisors, and even individual technicians can face personal consequences if they are found to have ignored safety protocols or failed to document critical steps. Fines, civil lawsuits, and in some cases, criminal charges may follow if investigators determine that standard procedures were not followed or properly recorded.

Even if your business has an excellent safety culture, a single undocumented job can undo years of effort. Insurance companies rely heavily on documentation when determining coverage or liability. Without adequate records, claims may be delayed, denied, or disputed. And while property damage can often be repaired, the loss of trust from customers and regulators can take years to rebuild.

The incident in Bowne Township is more than a tragedy; it’s also a warning. Propane businesses must ensure that every inspection, installation, and repair is properly documented and easily retrievable. Because traditional paperwork systems can often fade and are easy to lose, hard to organize, and difficult to verify, relying on them is no longer enough in a world where proof of compliance can determine whether your business survives a legal challenge.

That’s where technology now plays a vital role. The propane industry has access to modern mobile tools designed specifically for safety and service documentation, such as the Tank Spotter and Propane Safety App (available at tankspotter.com and propanesafetyapp.com). These innovative platforms allow technicians to instantly capture real-time data directly from the field, recording photos, safety checklists, GPS-stamped inspections, and customer acknowledgments. This digital record provides the proof that regulators, insurers, and investigators expect.

Several leading insurance companies now actively recommend these apps to their propane clients because they reduce claims, simplify compliance, and make documentation both faster and more accurate. Many insurers even offer discounts or incentive programs for companies that use approved digital documentation tools. Why? Fewer errors, better safety tracking, and verified field reports translate to fewer accidents, less liability, and safer operations.

For propane company owners and managers, this is no longer just an option – it’s a strategic necessity. The Bowne Township explosion is a stark reminder that the smallest oversight can carry massive consequences. By adopting mobile safety documentation tools like Tank Spotter or the Propane Safety App, your business can protect itself, your employees, and your customers while strengthening your legal and operational defense.

Digital documentation doesn’t just save time; it safeguards lives, reduces legal risks, and helps ensure that your business never becomes the next unfortunate name in the news.