Explosion at Groendyke Transport in Kansas Injures at Least 4

At least four people were hurt after an explosion and fire occurred at Groendyke Transport Inc. on U.S. 83, southeast of Liberal, Kansas.

At around 2:30 p.m. Jan. 12, a propane or natural-gas tanker was inside a large metal building with five truck wash bays when it exploded and caught fire, according to Seward County Fire Chief Andrew Barkley.

“We are not sure what exactly caused the explosion,” Barkley said.

Fire crews believe the tanker was empty, but employees reported gas vapors were released. An investigation is under way.

Mayor Joe Denoyer says 3 men will be brought to Wichita w/ burns from the Liberal explosion https://t.co/vZVbjXuWHw pic.twitter.com/x59UwEJKht — Angela Smith (@DigitalDiva12) January 12, 2016

As a precaution in case the tanker exploded, firefighters were held at bay for about 1½ hours before they were able to take down the fire successfully, Barkley said.

Three employees were injured as a result of the explosion, according to a Groendyke release.

The employees were reported to have second- and third-degree burns and were flown to Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita. They are in critical but stable condition, according to Southwest Medical Center officials in Liberal, who first received the patients.

Officials with the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office said at least four people were injured. Barkley confirmed that the additional person received minor injuries and was treated and released by EMS.

All employees were evacuated, according to Liberal Mayor Joe Denoyer, who was at the scene. No homes were in danger, as the company is located in a rural area.

U.S. 83 was closed south of U.S. 54 in Liberal for about 2½ hours and opened around 4:25 p.m. Traffic was detoured to local roads, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.

“Our staff is working closely with emergency response personnel to ensure the scene is safe and secure,” as stated in the company release.

Kansas State Fire Marshal investigators have been called to assist the Seward County Fire Department.

Officials with Liberal Fire Department, Tyrone and Turpin, Oklahoma, fire departments, Seward County Sheriff’s Office, Seward County EMS and the Kansas Highway Patrol provided help.

Groendyke Transport ranks No. 87 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.