Three-alarm fire in NE Wichita involved exploding propane bottles, fire chief says
All 20 employees inside an industrial building were able to escape safely Wednesday after a three-alarm fire in northeast Wichita that included exploding propane bottles, fire department officials said.
The fire started just after 5 p.m. in the 2100 block of East 37th Street North at the Coleman factory complex.
Arriving crews reported seeing “multiple explosions and fire on the exterior of the building,” fire chief Tammy Snow said in a news briefing.
Snow said firefighters witnessed what looked like propane bottles exploding and shooting off north of the building. The fire had spread into the inside of the building and two trailers caught fire.
Additional fire crews were called and were able to assist in putting out the fire. Firefighters used their PPE equipment because of the presence of hazardous materials, Snow said.
“We have to be cautious of the explosions,” Snow said. “Those of you that were able to get up close enough to the scene, you saw that those propane bottles shot clear across the parking lot.”
No injuries were reported. One employee who was handling the propane tanks refused EMS services, according to Snow.
“That’s pretty traumatic for someone. He was mainly just more anxious and nervous than anything else,” Snow said.
The fire is under control, but crews will stay on scene for about another hour to ensure nothing else arises. Snow said the damage is extensive.