When the Jasper Fire Department pagers went off on July 26, it sounded like a case of deja vu all over again.

The fire department responded to a propane leak at the Petro Canada on Connaught Dr. next to Robinson’s grocery at 11 a.m. Emergency crews shut down side streets as a precaution just over a week after a propane leak resulted in an explosion that levelled the Pyramid Riding Stables Staff Accommodation.

The culprit turned out to be a leaky valve on a 1983 Dodge campervan. Kim Stafford of Perth, Australia and his friend were travelling across Canada in the old vehicle, when they stopped in Jasper to fill the vehicle’s propane tank. Almost immediately after pulling away from the propane station and into the gas pumps, they heard a loud hiss.

“It was the first time we filled up the (van’s) propane tank,” Stafford said.

Fire Chief Greg Van Tighem said the tanks likely had corroded valves, which left them incapable of holding any propane. The leak took some time to drain, as crews kept onlookers at a distance. 

“It was nearly empty when we got here, so we just let it drain,” Van Tighem said.

Crews kept the gas station closed for about half an hour, while the van’s 30 litre propane tank gradually drained.

Stafford said despite the leak, he was still enjoying his first visit to Jasper.