Propane tank likely cause of home explosion in Moundridge
No reports of injuries in explosion
POSTED: SEPTEMBER 3, 2015
Home explodes in Mound Ridge
MOUNDRIDGE, Kan. -
UPDATE: Authorities believe a propane tank sparked an explosion that leveled a home in Moundridge Wednesday evening.
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A house was destroyed, but no injuries were reported in a Wednesday evening house explosion in the 900 block of East Hoch southeast of Moundridge.
McPherson County Sheriff's Capt. Doug Anderson said the explosion occurred about 6 p.m. The house is a total loss, Anderson said.
The sheriff's department responded to the scene along with fire officials in the county and the State Fire Marshal. Officials said there was no fire showing. Westar Energy crews also responded to the scene.
The preliminary report was that the house destroyed in the explosion was vacant.
Nearby in Moundridge, several residents reported hearing and feeling the blast. Via social media, residents a few blocks from the scene said it felt like something landed on their houses. One resident reported debris from the explosion landed in her yard.
A fire official said debris from the explosion landed 200 to 250 yards away from the house.
Resident Jacob Schrag, who lives near the center of Moundridge said his entire block ran outside to see what happened after the explosion.
"The entire south side of my house shook," he said. "I could have sworn a vehicle ran into my house...it was that severe."
Gene Bachman, whose property neighbors the house that was destroyed, had damage to his shop from the explosion. The damage included shattered fluorescent lights and tools scattered on the shop floor. A water line in the shop also broke.
"It's just a mess," Bachman said.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined and crews expected to remain on scene through Wednesday night.