Both must report regularly to the police station in their area.
The explosion injured 11 workers. One later died from his injuries in hospital, while two others remain in a serious condition.
The defendants are the owner of the heavy vehicle repair business where the explosion occurred and the operator leasing the propane tanker.
They face, as applicable, felony charges of causing an explosion and arson that endangered human life, as well as misdemeanour charges of negligently causing serious bodily harm and failing to implement and comply with legally required safety measures.
Both denied the charges during their testimony.
The business owner apologised to the victims’ families and expressed deep sorrow over the fatal incident.
According to his reported account, the propane tanker remained at the workshop overnight because the spare part required to complete the repairs was unavailable.
He said the tanker’s driver had called him the previous day to arrange for the vehicle to be brought in for repairs. As the necessary part was not available, they decided to leave the tanker at the workshop and inspect it the following morning.
He claimed that while travelling to the workshop the next day, he was informed by telephone that an explosion had occurred and that the premises had been destroyed.
The second defendant reportedly said that he had informed both the business owner and the propane company about the tanker’s contents.
He denied responsibility for the incident and claimed that the fire had been caused by a leak of a different flammable substance elsewhere in the workshop.
The workplace disaster occurred on the morning of Thursday 9 July at a workshop specialising in heavy vehicles and spare parts.
An initial explosion was followed by a second, particularly powerful blast involving the propane tanker on the premises. The resulting fire spread rapidly to two neighbouring businesses, completely destroying them.
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