Feb. 03--About a dozen homes were evacuated around the Arlington Co-op grain elevator in Reno County late this afternoon as firefighters tried to extinguish a fire that burned throughout the day.
The fire was touched off by an explosion that occurred shortly before 7:30 a.m. in the headhouse.
Sheriff Randy Henderson said two employees were on site at the time of the explosion, and one was transported to the burn unit of Via Christi Hospital on St. Francis for treatment of what were not considered life-threatening injuries.
"I'm not sure why it happened," Henderson said.
K-61 was shut down as a precaution, Henderson said, and traffic was detoured from Arlington Road to Sterling Road.
Those forced to leave their homes were told they might not be allowed to return until Friday.
Arlington, Kan., is about 60 miles northwest of Wichita in western Reno County.
Contact Stan Finger at 316-268-6437.
Copyright 2012 - The Wichita Eagle, Kan.
