Rink Explosion Occurs Feet Away From Skaters After Ice Resurfacing Machine Propane Leak

An explosion at an ice rink in Kentucky over the weekend was attributed by the rink's owner to a propane leak employees encountered while changing the propane tank on an ice resurfacing machine, local media outlets reported this week.

"We had a propane tank that had a leak in it," David Christopher, the owner of Lexington Ice Center, said during an on-air interview with local news station WDKY-TV. "That leak ignited and it caused a little, small explosion."

Video of the incident that was shared online showed a handful of people skating across the ice when an explosion somewhere off the ice's surface brightened the room and caused the building to shake. The force of the explosion just feet away was not enough to make the skaters fall, but some could be heard shouting as they skated away from the area.

Christopher told WDKY that changing the machines' propane tanks is a "normal" occurrence that happens multiple times every week. The ice resurfacer was not damaged in the explosion, nor were other damages beyond a few burned pieces of paper, he said.

One employee suffered minor injuries in the explosion, however, but no other injuries were reported.

Major Jessica Bowman with the Lexington Fire Department told Newsweek fire crews were sent to the ice rink at about 9:17 p.m. local time on January 15 and found a "small" fire inside. The center's sprinkler system had activated and people were already evacuating at the time fire officials arrived, Bowman said.

The fire was swiftly extinguished with "minimal" structure damage, Bowman added. The cause of the fire was under investigation as of Tuesday morning.

Christopher said it was "amazing that we walked out of a miracle," citing the lack of significant damage to the ice rink or to the ice surfacing machine that was in the process of having its propane tank replaced.

Lexington Ice Center released a statement regarding the incident addressed to its community members and shared with Newsweek on Tuesday. In the statement, the rink said it had been in communication with fire, gas and sprinkler system officials following the weekend explosion.

"We have been checked out by the Lexington fire department, Columbia Gas, and the sprinkler system professionals. Everyone has given us clearance to re-open the rink safely," the ice rink's statement said. "It is our goal as management and owners to have the safest facility possible."

The statement went on to say that the ice rink planned to be open by Monday, January 17. Footage captured Monday by WDKY showed dozens of skaters back on the ice at the Lexington Ice Center.

Update 01/18/22, 3:25 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from Major Jessica Bowman of the Lexington Fire Department.