Downtown Bradenton church had a hidden secret. It could have been an explosive situation

Firefighters shut down 15th Street West between Fouth Avenue West and Manatee Avenue West for hours Tuesday morning after construction workers renovating the First Presbyterian Church uncovered a potentially explosive situation.

The Bradenton Fire Department, including its hazmat units, responded to the church located at 1402 Manatee Ave. W. shortly after 9 a.m. on Tuesday. AmeriGas and the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue HazMat Team also provided aid.

A construction crew working at the church dug into an area just outside the southwest corner of the building and uncovered a large propane tank that was apparently abandoned decades ago.

Emergency personnel discovered an “actively flowing leak” at the valve of the tank, according to BPD.

BFD Fire Marshal Kenneth Langston said the large tank was 82 percent full and had been in the ground probably since the 1950s.

Firefighters diligently dug around the massive tank for more than an hour after arriving on scene.

“They’re being cautious so it will take some time to get it fully uncovered,” Langston said.

Church members contacted by the fire department said they were unaware of the tank’s existence.

On Tuesday afternoon, crews used a gas burnoff kit to safely remove the propane from the tank.

The operation could last into the evening hours due to the large quantity of propane, the fire department said.

15th Street West will remain closed in the area until the operation is completed, and the public is asked to avoid the area.

This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 1:31 PM.