Community Risk

Kan. Garage Explosion Critically Injures Two Victims

March 11, 2013

Two adults were airlifted from the scene of a garage fire in Hutchinson after a fire erupted in the structure. Both reportedly had second degree burns from the blaze that may have been caused by a wood stove.

Source The Hutchinson News, Kan.

March 11--Two adults were in critical condition Sunday evening in a Wichita hospital after being burned when a small fire broke out in a garage behind a house at 1224 E. Fourth Ave.

The victims, who have not been identified, suffered second degree burns according to Deputy Fire Chief Mike Miller. They were placed in two ambulances in front of the home to await two medical helicopters that landed in the large empty parking lot across the street at SalonCentric, 1125 E. Fourth Ave.

Miller said a wood stove was heating the garage and firefighters found a gasoline can near the stove. Miller said the close proximity of the gasoline to the heat of the stove likely caused a flash fire.

When firefighters arrived, the fire had mostly been extinguished.

Neighbors said they heard a boom just before emergency crews were on the scene just after 5 p.m.

Karra Branton, who lives two doors away, said the people who lived at the home had moved into the neighborhood about two weeks ago.