MARSHFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A fire at a southwest Missouri propane plant caused an explosion that sent thousands of small propane tanks flying into the air, shaking surrounding neighborhoods, fire officials said.
Three employees inside the Kosan Crisplant plant in Marshfield escaped before the fire and explosion Thursday evening. One person was sent to a hospital with unknown injuries, KYTV reported.
Michael Taylor, fire chief for the Marshfield Protection District, said firefighters initially had to stand back because tanks were airborne and the fire was close to a 33,000 gallon gas tank. Taylor estimated nearly 10,000 propane tanks were involved.
“Put us in a situation where we kind of had to back off and protect other buildings and get the neighborhood evacuated in case we lost that large tank,” said Taylor. “So it did take us a while before we could attack the fire itself.”
The fire was contained within three hours and surrounding neighborhoods that had been evacuated were allowed to return.
The Marshfield Fire Protection District, the Missouri Propane Gas Commission and Missouri Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the fire.