At 4p.m. Saturday Hutchinson Fire Chief Steve Beer provided an update.
Shortly before 9:30 Saturday, fire crews were called to Steffens Auto Parts, near Avenue E and Main Street, on the report of a natural gas odor. Officials say that the initial units to the scene witnessed the building exploding.
Crews say that the occupants in the structure were out of the building.
The fire was being fed by a 10-inch natural gas line. Officials say that the body of the fire is under control, but the street caught fire due to the gas leak.
Hutchinson Fire Department crews were forced to take a defensive stance and used unmanned water streams to fight the fire.
Mayor Stacy Goss said that all the City of Hutchinson fire crews are deployed along with crews from Reno County Fire District Number 3, Buhler and South Hutchinson fire departments.
The area between Avenue A and Frank Hart Crossing and Popular Street and Adams Street are currently under an evacuation.
There has been an evacuation and warming center set up at the Salvation which is located at 700 North Walnut.
Kansas Gas and Evergy have crews on the scene monitoring the evacuated buildings. Kansas Gas released a statement to Hutch Post:
“Our crews have responded to 428 S. Main in Hutchinson, Kansas and are working with the Hutchison Fire Department and local emergency responders. More information will be released once officials have completed their investigation.
The primary concern of Kansas Gas Service is safety. As a precautionary measure, the area around the location is being isolated and secured.
Officials told member of the community, if you smell natural gas, leave the area immediately then call 911 and our Emergency Line 888-482-4950. Do not use any electrical equipment such as phones, garage doors, or light switches until you are a safe distance away from the odor.”
Check the Post for additional information as it becomes available.