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Zamboni explodes; fire destroys arena
MPLS Star & Sickle ^ | 12-20-04 | Larry Oakes

Posted on 12/20/2004 8:26:41 AM PST by Rakkasan1

DULUTH -- A Duluth hockey arena was destroyed and at least two people suffered minor injuries Sunday night after a Zamboni ice-resurfacing machine exploded during a broomball game, starting a major fire and sending players and spectators fleeing.

"It looked like the Zamboni doors flew off onto the ice," a player told KDLH-TV in Duluth, referring to the doors of the enclosure in which the Zamboni sat while waiting to go on to the ice. The explosion happened about 9:40 p.m. at Peterson Arena, 3501 Grand Av. in west Duluth.

The witness said the explosion started ceiling insulation on fire, and the building was quickly engulfed.

"There were people on the ice that got hit by the doors," the player told the television station. "We all just ran out of there. I think everybody got out."

Battling the fireAssociated PressA nursing supervisor at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth said this morning that one person was treated at the hospital and released.

Player Ryan Ringsred, who was bandaged, picked small pieces

(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: Minnesota
KEYWORDS: duluth; explodes; fire; hockey; mn; zamboni
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To: Professional Engineer

Ping to post 100..
It may not have been a bonified Zamboni..


101 posted on 12/20/2004 11:31:18 AM PST by Darksheare ("His heart went dead underneath her gaze" - The Book of Foreshadowed Sorrows.)
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To: ArrogantBustard

the exposed tank on the old-school Zambonis always reminded
me of a big keg of beer.
They explode real good-like a BBQ grill.Don't ask me how I know this.


102 posted on 12/20/2004 11:48:18 AM PST by Rakkasan1 (Justice of the Piece: Hope IS on the way...)
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To: hut1hut2

No. The newer ones use cell-phone batteries.


103 posted on 12/20/2004 12:50:26 PM PST by hollywood (Stay on topic, please.)
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To: Bluegrass Conservative

Thanks for posting that, but I noticed that the article used "mother of invention" and "Frank" in the same sentence. It kinda' made me "Freak Out".


104 posted on 12/20/2004 1:00:21 PM PST by snopercod (Bigger government means clinton won. Less freedom means Osama won. Get it?)
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To: Rakkasan1
I was never good at following orders ...

How, exactly, do you know that a zamboni fuel tank will explode?

105 posted on 12/20/2004 1:02:14 PM PST by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilisation is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: snopercod
Thanks for posting that, but I noticed that the article used "mother of invention" and "Frank" in the same sentence. It kinda' made me "Freak Out".

Not sure about being a mother, but a guy named Frank could probably be a queen! : )


106 posted on 12/20/2004 1:03:47 PM PST by Bluegrass Conservative
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To: ArrogantBustard

a BBQ grill tank will expode when hit with a .223 tracer.

I suppose a propane tank on a old Zamboni would, too

FYI (the cause of the explosion was a leak that filled the
storage room with gas then it ignited via a pilot light
for the heat.)


107 posted on 12/20/2004 1:48:03 PM PST by Rakkasan1 (Justice of the Piece: Hope IS on the way...)
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To: Hat-Trick

Better put me on the hockey ping list. thanks


108 posted on 12/20/2004 2:57:43 PM PST by jjmcgo
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To: Chances Are

I've got that song on the Gear Daddies 1990 CD "Billy's Live Bait". A great album. Strangely, the liner notes and cover don't even mention the Zamboni song. It simply shows up at the end, the last song on the CD.


109 posted on 12/20/2004 3:49:19 PM PST by Reverend Bob (Pawlenty/Rice 2008)
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To: Bluegrass Conservative

"never came across an obstacle he couldn't tinker his way around"


The highest of praise for a gear head.


110 posted on 12/20/2004 5:25:29 PM PST by DUMBGRUNT (Sane, and have the papers to prove it!)
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To: Rakkasan1

When zambonis are outlawed, only outlaws will have zambonis.


111 posted on 12/20/2004 9:26:44 PM PST by Egg ("...and everyone did what was right in his own eyes."--dark theme of the Bible book, Judges)
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To: BullDog108

There's not much difference between the two. Well you could make an argument that the Onion has a better grasp of reality.


112 posted on 12/20/2004 9:31:29 PM PST by Valin (Out Of My Mind; Back In Five Minutes)
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To: Bluegrass Conservative

Being a Southern boy, I really don't know a Zambonie from a Slambonie, but I seem to remember a story about how it was a typical American dream come true company.
It is fortunate that no one was seriously hurt and no loss of lives.
It could have been a real disaster for many, and the company as well.


113 posted on 12/20/2004 9:42:09 PM PST by AlexW
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To: Old Professer

Ol' Joe havin' a butt after cleaning the ice?


114 posted on 12/21/2004 8:15:01 AM PST by jjmcgo
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To: Docbarleypop

You nailed it.


115 posted on 12/21/2004 8:16:20 AM PST by jjmcgo
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To: Old Professer

"What would account for a strong blast wall would be a leak in the enclosed storage area from the propane tank or fittings allowing a build up of heavier than air gasses and then ignition which would blow the doors off and knock nearby objects to the floor.

The only question in my mind is what source provided the ignition?"
===
Local news this morning said it was a water heater pilot light.


116 posted on 12/21/2004 9:02:24 AM PST by JLO
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