The line was rated to , while normal operating pressure never fluctuated higher than . When the field-installed connector was brought up to normal operating pressure, it separated from the line at between . Hydraulic fluid spattered onto the heating lines for the cooker and immediately vaporized. This vapor then went directly into the flame of the gas-fired cooker. The vapor had a relatively low flash point and erupted into a fireball. The ruptured hydraulic line then pumped of hydraulic fluid into the fire before electrical failure shut it down.