SIDNEY, Neb. (AP) -- More than 100 oxygen tanks exploded in a fire early Friday, destroying two businesses, shattering storefront windows and blasting debris for several blocks in this small southwest Nebraska town.
One volunteer firefighter suffered minor injuries, but no one was seriously hurt.
A passerby spotted smoke coming from a wood engraving shop just after midnight and called the fire department. The flames soon spread to Apria Health Care, a medical supply store that sells oxygen tanks, City Manager Gary Person said.
More than 100 tanks exploded in the heat. The medical supply store and engraving shop were leveled and some of the tanks were hurtled through nearby windows and doors. The booming explosions spread debris for 20 blocks, Person said.
``It was like the grand finale of a Fourth of July fireworks display,'' he said. ``We really, really thought at that time we were going to lose downtown. It was just one explosion after another.''
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Pictures were knocked off the walls of Donita Fredrick's home, a half block away. The front windows were shattered at her work place, Nelson Design & Accessory, which is across the street from the businesses that were destroyed.
``It was like a bomb had went off. The whole block shook,'' she said. ``Those tanks were shooting all over.''
Sidney has about 6,200 residents and is near the Colorado border.
