Fire crews responding to a call of a gas leak witnessed an explosion at a Hutchinson business that led to a fire and evacuations in the surrounding area.

The explosion and fire happened shortly before 9:30 Saturday morning at Steffans Auto Parts at Avenue E and Main Street.   Hutchinson Fire Chief Steven Beer said crews saw gas bubbling out of the ground at the intersection.   Six firefighters went into the auto parts store but got out just before the explosion when they were alerted by gas meters on their equipment, and two other people in the building also escaped.   No injuries were reported.

Beer said a 10-inch high-pressure gas line was feeding the fire, and the fire burned throughout the day.  Crews were on the scene into the evening hours.  It’s believed the gas migrated from the line into the building, leading to the explosion.

The surrounding area was evacuated and a warming shelter was set up at 7th and Walnut at The Salvation Army. Kansas Gas and Evergy have had numerous resources on site to monitor the buildings in the area and check for any spread of the gas.   Crews were allowing the gas to burn off.

The roof collapsed on the auto parts store and the building is a total loss.

Hutchinson firefighters were assisted by a number of agencies, including the Kansas Highway Patrol, Reno Co Sheriff’s Office, Reno County Emergency Management, Hutchinson Public Works, Hutchinson Water Utilities, Hutchinson Police Department, South Hutch Fire, Buhler Fire Department, District 3 Fire Department, South Hutch PD, Evergy, Kansas Gas, AT&T.   A hazardous materials team from Sedgwick County was also on the scene to help monitor gas levels.

Beer said this fire is not related to the 2001 incident where an underground gas leak caused a number of fires in Hutchinson.  He said the gas in Saturday’s incident has an odor while the gas in the 2001 incident was odorless.

[ photo:  Hutchinson Fire Department – Facebook ]