Explosions awaken, frighten Ridgewood residents early Wednesday

‘A garage was fully involved on arrival, and we defensively started protecting the home’- RVFD Chief Dylan Roach

RIDGEWOOD, TN (WLAF)- In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, firefighters with Ridgewood and Caryville Volunteer Fire Departments saved a home from fire and averted a potentially disastrous outcome. Residents living along or near Highway 116 at Ridgewood, close to the former A & S Steel Building, were alerted to the fire upon hearing loud explosions.

“When we arrived, the garage was fully involved, and we defensively started protecting the home and surrounding sheds,” said RVFD Chief Dylan Roach. The fire, within eye shot of the RVFD station, was called in at 12:54am Wednesday.

In the garage, there were several 100 pound cylinders, most were LP tanks and some oxygen tanks, along with one car, four to five motorcycles and some ammunition, according to Chief Roach. He adds that several of the cylinders ruptured causing the explosions.

“The LP tanks ruptured because of what’s called a BLEVE, Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion. That occurs when a pressurized container containing a pressurized liquid like LP is heated above its boiling point. It can cause a violent explosion throwing shrapnel and creating a giant fireball. While on scene, we witnessed multiple BLEVE’s from several of the 100 pound LP tanks,” said the chief.

“I’m thankful no one was injured, and I appreciate CFVD coming to assist,” said Roach.

Firefighters cleared the scene by 4am. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-03/12/2026-6AM)