Explosion risk at burning gas plant forced overnight evacuation for some in Reno County

Reno County residents within a mile and a half of the Haven gas plant that caught fire Thursday were directed to evacuate their homes overnight due to the risk of an explosion.

Officials say the threat was posed by approximately 3,000 gallons of liquefied natural gas being held in a vessel with relief valves that may have been compromised.

Residents around the plant were originally told to prepare for a 72-hour evacuation, but on Friday, Reno County Emergency Management posted on Facebook that residents could return home.

“Reno County officials along with Haven Midstream Plant officials have determined the hazard risks have been reduced and are comfortable reopening most roads and allowing residents back into their homes,” the post reads.

Ninety hastily evacuated residents were placed in hotels Thursday night after a reception center was opened at the Hutchinson Salvation Army office for people who had been displaced.

Fire crews were called in from Colwich, Burrton, Mount Hope, McPherson, South Hutchinson and Wichita to fight the blaze after an explosion was reported at the plant Thursday afternoon.

The Kansas Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the cause of the fire, the agency’s Kansas City field bureau said in a Tweet Thursday evening.

Environmental health and safety experts and an engineering forensics group from Houston were expected to arrive in Reno County on Friday morning.

The Haven Midstream Plant, which began operating in 2015, chills natural gas to 150 degrees below zero to separate ethane, butane, propane and natural gasoline from methane, the main ingredient in natural gas.

Reno County Emergency Management did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday morning.

This story was originally published April 15, 2022 at 11:22 AM.