HOULTON – A leaking propane tank prompted the evacuation Thursday of Burrelle’s Clipping Service in the Houlton Plaza on North Street.

The 90-degree temperatures caused one of the storage tanks behind the Burrelle’s office to overheat, according to the Houlton Fire Department

The pressure that built up in the tank caused its relief value to activate shortly after 3 p.m. The value is designed to relieve any pressure buildup in the tank as a safety precaution to prevent the tank from rupturing.

A Burrelle’s employee heard a hissing noise and called the Fire Department at about 3:10 p.m.

At least three dozen Burrelle’s employees were evacuated as a precaution while firefighters cooled the tank with water.

The employees went back to work about 45 minutes later after the tank was sufficiently cooled and the relief value shut down.