HAVEN, Kan. (AP) — Authorities are allowing people to return to their homes near a Reno County gas plant a day after an explosion rocked the plant and led to a fire there.
Video courtesy of Bill Royer — Haven.
Television station KSN reports that officials lifted the evacuation order Friday morning after about 90 people were evacuated Thursday and sent to hotels for the night. Fire and emergency management crews were called to the Haven Midstream plant Thursday afternoon for an explosion and fire.
Two people suffered minor injuries and were taken to a Wichita hospital. Residents within a 2-mile radius of the plant were evacuated following the explosion. The plant is located near Haven, which is about 33 miles northwest of Wichita. Kansas Highway 96 near the plant was also closed by has since mostly reopened.
UPDATE: As of 8:00 p.m. Fire units were on the scene throughout the night monitoring the situation at the Tenawa Haven Midstream plant. According to Reno County Fire Administrator Travis Vogt hazardous material crews are working on several small chemical fires that do not pose a threat to the public. K96 Highway has been re-opened and the only road currently blocked is Kent Road from Lake Cable to Arlington. All residents are allowed back into their homes.
The State Fire Marshal's office was on the scene along with other fire investigators, including specialists from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to begin sifting through the area and begin their investigation.
A fire crew from the refinery in McPherson was called out to help with the fire as were several hazmat units from Wichita. The facility did run a venting of gas from the plant which is routine but advance notice was given in light of today's events. The venting was executed as planned.
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UPDATE: 6:30 p.m. Crews continue to mop up from the fire at the Tenawa Gas facility.
Emergency management Director Adam Weishaar says K-96 and Kent Road are both open again and crews are being released from the scene.
Again, there has been extensive damage to two buildings at the facility, both on the Tenawa property, but only two injuries.
As far as evacuations, Weishaar says people living along Arlington Road are being allowed back on their properties.
The cause of the fire and explosions has not been released.
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UPDATE: 5:45 p.m.
Crews continue to work the fire at the Tenawa Gas facility but it looks like they are getting things under control.
Emergency management Director Adam Weishaar says K-96 should be open around 6:30 and maybe earlier if all goes as planned. Weishaar says there was extensive damage to two buildings at the facility, both on the Tenawa property. Firefighters from Colwich, Mt. Hope, Burton, McPherson and Wichita also responded and foam tenders were brought to the scene to help with the fire.
As far as evacuations, Weishaar says people living along Arlington Road are being allowed back on their properties.
The cause of the fire and explosions has not been released
UPDATE: 4:15 p.m.
HAVEN — Fire crews continue to battle the fire contained to the main building at the facility.
According to Adam Weishaar of Reno County Emergency Management, the fire was called in around 1:17 p.m. Crews were met with heavy fire and smoke. At least two explosions occurred.
Flames and smoke could be seen from as far away as Wichita. Weishaar says several businesses near the plant were evacuated but that has now been lifted. Some rural residents near the facility will be kept from their homes for most of the afternoon and evening.
Haven USD 312 did hold students at school and allowed parents to pick up their children if they wanted. School buses did run as usual although some routes were altered due to road closings in the area.
Special equipment is being brought in to pour foam on the fire but crews are expected to be fighting this blaze for several more hours.
Because of the heavy emergency traffic , K-96 will remain closed from Yoder to just east of Haven for the time being.
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UPDATE: 3 P.M.
One of the main buildings is still on fire at Haven Midstream. Eyewitness accounts report that the shockwave from the blast could be felt approximately a mile from the plant.
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ORIGINAL STORY
There has been an explosion at the Haven Midstream gas plant at K-96 and Kent Road. Some minor injuries have been reported.
K-96 is closed from Yoder to just east of Haven while emergency crews respond. The only evacuation at the moment is Haven Steel employees.
USD 312 is holding students at their buildings at this time. Parents can pick up if they want, but buses will run at their normal time. Routes may be slightly different due to the highway closure.
Fire trucks are staging at Yoder if they are needed. Currently staging are Pretty Prairie, Rural Fire Districts 2 and 3 and Hutchinson fire. Not on scene, but on standby.
More information coming when it becomes available.
