By james art 
Wichita, Kan. (Kwch) – 1pm update: The crews are still working to suppress a large fire after a building explosion in the center of Hutchinson.
Hatchinson’s fire chief Stephen Bir said around 9:26, Hatchinson’s fire service was sent to Avenue’s gas scent report and a main street near Stefans’ auto parts.
After arrival, the crews witnessed the building to explode. Beer said the fire was nourished by gas from a 10-inch natural gas line. Although the main body of the fire in the automotive parts of Steffans is controlled, the street and the sidewalk continue to burn due to the leakage of gas.
The crews have launched a defensive operation using unmanned fire flows. All urban resources from Hutchinson Fire and Buhler Fire, District 3 and South Hutch were located. The Sedgwick state -owned HAZMAT regional team will be on the spot to perform a remote unmanned gas monitoring.
Dispach informed all those affected by the evacuation, and the warming shelter was created on the 7th and walnut in the army of salvation. Beer said it was an odorized natural gas and the evacuation zone can be expanded from the original zone.
The responsible agencies include the State Patrol of the Kansas Highway, the Renault Sheriff County office, Renault County Emergency Situations, Hatchinson Public Affairs, Hatchinson Water Supply, Hatchinson Police Department, South Hut Fire, Buller Fire Service, District 3 Fire Office, Police Department of South Hut, Evergie, Kansas Gas and AT&T.
Beer said the update would be made at 16:00 on 2222 N Main Street – Hutchinson Fire Station.
Residents of East Hatchinson were asked to evacuate late Saturday morning due to a major gas vacation and a large fire center.
The Renault County dispatcher confirmed that the evacuation order was issued shortly after 11:30 am, affecting everyone around the southern chief and between Avenue A to Avenue F between the streets of Adams and Plum.
The city of Hatchinson said the displaced residents could find refuge in the army of salvation of the 7th and walnut.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details become available.
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