WAPA ST. THOMAS CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICES EVACUATED AFTER PROPANE TANK ACCIDENT

Customer services were suspended at Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority offices on St. Thomas at approximately 10 a.m. today when employees were forced to evacuate the facility after a large propane transfer tank belonging to Antilles Gas Company fell from its flat bed in the vicinity of the utility’s Sub Base headquarters. The building was cleared for the safety and security of WAPA’s customers and employees, said Executive Director Hugo Hodge, Jr. Power to the area was also disconnected while emergency responders utilizing several cranes worked to remove the tank from the area.

Cashier windows on St. Thomas, which reopened at 3 p.m., will remain open until 7 p.m. this evening and re-open one half hour earlier at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow in order to accommodate customers who were disconnected for non payment. Because power was disconnected to WAPA’s building for an extended period of time, the computer network was unavailable at WAPA’s three business offices throughout the territory. . St. Croix’s business office will remain open until 6 p.m. this evening to receive payments while customer service offices on St. John will close as usual at 4 p.m. St. Croix and St. John offices will reopen at 8 a.m. tomorrow.

Hodge expressed appreciation to all who assisted in securing the area around WAPA’s Sub Base facilities while the tank removal was in progress.