HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KWCH) – Six days after a gas leak led to a fire that destroyed a business on Hutchinson’s Main Street and displaced several others, the community anticipates answers on how to move forward.
The explosion left businesses on Main Street unable to operate.
Five investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrived in Hutchinson Sunday night to document the accident scene and examine the pipeline and equipment involved.
The NTSB said its investigations involve three primary areas: human factors, the pipeline system, and the operating environment. The NTSB stepped in to investigate alongside the Hutchinson Fire Department because it has jurisdiction over pipelines and the transportation of natural gas.
With the NTSB still investigating and Hutchinson firefighters no longer on scene, those impacted now look to the Kansas Gas Service for aid in the recovery process. On Wednesday, Kansas Gas Service set up at the Salvation Army in Hutchinson to help anyone who might need to file a claim for damaged property from the explosion.
There’s been frustration, however, concerning what many feel is a lack of communication.
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Hutchinson Mayor Stacey Goss said that despite its efforts to help people file claims, Kansas Gas Service hasn’t been as helpful as it should be.
“I am confident that our first responders, our mutual aid partners, that we followed protocol to the letter. The frustration currently stems from Kansas Gas and their lack of communication,” Goss said.
Even with a decreased evacuation zone five days after the blast, business owners and workers still haven’t been allowed on their properties.
“Residents are frustrated, business owners are frustrated. They want clear answers from Kansas Gas as to when they will be back in their buildings and when they will be able to return to full operations.” Hutchinson Fire Chief Steven Beer said.
Workers, including employees at the Tyson facility in Hutchinson, say there’s still no set date for them to return to work.
“That’s what I’m concerned about is the impact that it’s having on our residents who are going without a paycheck, including our business owners who are not able to service their clients and continue their operations,” Goss said.
The Hutchinson Fire Department said displaced business owners will be briefly escorted back into their buildings on Friday to grab important items left behind.
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