Video Shows Firefighters Run From Explosion At Kansas Auto Parts Store Caused By Gas Leak

Fire officials in Kansas on Monday shared a dashboard camera video that shows the moment an auto parts store exploded due to a gas leak, just moments after firefighters evacuated the owner.

The Hutchinson Fire Department was originally dispatched to respond to a report of a “gas odor” at Steffans Auto Parts at Avenue E and Main Street in Hutchinson at around 9:26 a.m. Saturday. The first firefighters to arrive noticed “heavy presence” of natural gas outside the auto parts store and upgraded the response to a commercial gas leak.

Firefighters entered the store, which had “high level gas readings,” and evacuated the owner. Mere seconds after the firefighters safely evacuated the owner, the store exploded.

A dashboard camera video from the battalion chief who was on scene shows several firefighters running from the building as it forcefully explodes, shooting flames out into the street.

Firefighters worked to control the main fire, but according to city officials, the street and sidewalk remained on fire due to the gas leak. An evacuation was ordered for nearby residents while Kansas Gas worked to restore the gas line. The evacuation perimeter was reduced Sunday, but crews were still working to restore gas service.