Probe Seeks Cause of Okla. Gas Explosion

Aug. 20, 2003
Investigators rummaged through charred debris at a gas distributor Tuesday searching for what caused a series of explosions and a massive fire that destroyed three empty homes and about 100 vehicles.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Investigators rummaged through charred debris at a gas distributor Tuesday searching for what caused a series of explosions and a massive fire that destroyed three empty homes and about 100 vehicles.

The explosions Monday in the storage facility of an Airgas Mid South plant sent ruptured steel canisters and other debris hurtling hundreds of feet through the air as 75 people worked at the plant. No one was injured.

The facility stored high pressure steel cylinders containing oxygen, propane, acetylene and other gases, said Skip Mason, Tulsa's chief fire investigator.

The fire and explosions also damaged four homes and a business, and prompted authorities to evacuate a three-quarter-mile radius around the fire and close Interstate 244 in both directions.

Airgas President Mike Duvall said the company would help owners of damaged homes, businesses or vehicles contact Airgas' insurers.

``We are prepared to do what we can to get them back in business, a car or a place to stay,'' he said.

Duvall said the company expected to have the plant back in operation Tuesday afternoon.

Another Airgas facility in Sacramento, Calif., caught fire last month. Duvall called the two fires a coincidence.

Monty Elder, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Quality, said none of the products that burned are considered toxic.

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