Hutchinson officials said Thursday that a gas line has been replaced and gas service has been restored after an explosion and fire at a downtown business, but it’s not known when a portion of South Main Street will reopen.
Kansas Gas Service has replaced a 100-foot section of a 10-inch gas line and service has been restored to all businesses in the area, but Main Street remains closed from Avenue D to Avenue F, between Walnut and Washington. Hutchinson Fire Chief Steven Beer said business owners in the area can meet Friday morning at 9 at Fire Station 3 at Walnut and Avenue E. They will be escorted by firefighters and Kansas Gas Service officials to recover papers and other needed belongings from their buildings.
Beer said there is a risk of nearby structures collapsing and crews are still detecting gas in the ground. In addition, it could take at least two weeks to repair the damage to Main Street.
Evergy said electric power is still out for 20 customers in the area, and crews are waiting for approval from Kansas Gas Service before restoring power. KGS has officials at the Salvation Army in Hutchinson to help anyone who may want to file a claim for damage from the explosion.
Beer said the scene is now under the control of Kansas Gas Service. The National Transportation Safety Board has investigators on the scene, and a report is not expected for 12 to 24 months.
