Explosions at petroleum outlet injure 7 in West Point, Nebraska
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Members of the West Point volunteer fire department pour water on a fire at Sapp Brothers Petroleum outlet, which was rocked by a series of explosions Wednesday afternoon. Two people were transported with injuries from the scene.
Posted: Thursday, July 2, 2015 12:00 am
WEST POINT, Neb. — A series of explosions rocked this Cuming County community late Wednesday afternoon, injuring seven.
A large amount of black smoke poured from the Sapp Brothers Petroleum outlet, on Highway 275 on the south edge of town.
“There was an explosion and fire,
don’t know what caused it,” Tim Kaup, general manager, said during a
press conference. “There was a fuel truck that had maintenance being
performed on it.”
Two people were critically injured and taken to the burn unit at Nebraska Medical Center, initial reports said.
“We’re hoping and praying for them,” Kaup said.
Five people with minor injuries
were treated in the emergency room at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in
West Point or at a nearby medical clinic, a hospital spokesperson said.
The explosions happened about 3:30 p.m. Observers could see flames shooting up from the business site.
Jennifer McTaggart, an employee at a nearby Dairy Queen, said she was working the drive-thru when she heard the explosion.
“I looked out the window and saw
black smoke and flames,” McTaggart said. “My first thought was if it’s
that close, should we evacuate.”
She said that after a few more explosions, they evacuated the business.
Kaup said they will analyze the situation and see if anything should be done differently in the future.
World-Herald staff writer Alia Conley contributed to this report, which includes material from the Associated Press.