Settlement Reached in Tragic Copiah County Propane Explosion that Claimed Four Lives

COPIAH COUNTY, Miss. — A devastating propane explosion in Copiah County, Mississippi, which claimed four lives one year ago, has culminated in a settlement between Herring Gas and the affected Jordan family, marking a poignant step toward closure despite the irreplaceable loss suffered.

In the event that unfolded a year prior, the explosion not only took the lives of Benjy and Houston Jordan, but also an unnamed minor and an unrelated 52-year-old man. The lawsuit, initiated shortly after the tragic incident, pointed to alleged negligence as crews had filled the propane tank just the evening before the fatal explosion.

While investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office left the cause of the explosion officially undetermined, further scrutiny of the propane tank by the law firm Morgan & Morgan unveiled critical flaws. Lead Attorney Ben Wilson shared insights into their findings, noting catastrophic failure due to the tank’s age and condition. “The cylinder, over 70 years old, ruptured due to corrosion and thinning walls, compounded by a temperature-induced pressure rise. Our evidence suggests the tank was overfilled the night before the incident,” explained Wilson.

Additional investigations highlighted more procedural failures, revealing the tank was incorrectly identified as an ASME tank during installation, rather than the correct DOT cylinder designation. This misclassification might have further compromised safety standards around its usage and maintenance.

Reflecting on the broader implications of the incident, Wilson expressed hope that the tragedy would bring about positive change. “If this incident leads to improvements that save even one life, then that’s a significant upside. It underscores the importance of rigorous adherence to safety protocols and proper training moving forward,” he stated.

The settlement, the amount of which remains confidential, provides some measure of relief to the bereaved family as they continue to cope with the enormity of their loss. Echoing the sentiments of transformative justice, Wilson advocates for enhanced training and stricter compliance standards across the industry to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In response to inquiries, Herring Gas has not yet released a statement regarding the incident and the settlement, maintaining a silence that leaves many questions unanswered.

As the community remembers the lives lost and the lessons painfully imparted, this unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the potential human costs of overlooking safety practices in the management of hazardous materials. The resolution of the lawsuit marks only the beginning of ongoing efforts to ensure such a tragedy is never repeated.