The National Transportation Safety Board said a leak in an underground gas line led to the explosion and fire that destroyed a business in downtown Hutchinson on February 22nd.
The NTSB issued a preliminary report on the explosion, saying a gas leak was found at a point where two pipes were welded together.
The explosion destroyed an auto parts store and neighboring buildings in the 400 block of South Main, and the damage was estimated at around $875,000. There were no injuries.
NTSB investigators gathered evidence at the scene and a portion of a 10-inch natural gas distribution pipe was secured as evidence and sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington, D.C., for evaluation and testing as the investigation continues.
