HUTCHINSON, KS – A significant gas line rupture caused a powerful explosion at a building in downtown Hutchinson on Saturday morning, triggering multiple fires that spread across nearby streets and sidewalks. The incident, which occurred just before 9:30 a.m., prompted the immediate evacuation of residents and businesses in the affected area.
Firefighters were initially dispatched to the vicinity of Main Street and Avenue E following reports of a gas odor. As they investigated, they traced the source to Steffans Auto Parts at 428 S. Main St., where gas was observed bubbling from the ground. Firefighters entered the building but managed to evacuate mere seconds before a massive explosion occurred.
“As a fire chief, it is probably one of my worst nightmares,” Hutchinson Fire Chief Steven Beer stated during a Facebook livestreamed briefing. “We almost lost six firefighters today.”
The rupture of a high-pressure 10-inch gas line fueled the ongoing fires, which continued to burn throughout the afternoon. Chief Beer explained that the safest course of action was to allow the gas to burn off.
