UPDATE: As of 2:00 p.m. Reno County Emergency Management says, thanks to the mitigation efforts by all responders, they have deemed the current situation at the Tenawa gas facility to be of no threat to the community.
Director Adam Weishaar says that the public may see an active fire coming from the plant, but the flames are helping in the response efforts to keep the scene stabilized.
Weishaar wanted to thank the community of Haven for heeding the overnight evacuation orders and continuing to keep a safe distance from the active scene. He added that residents' willingness to follow updated information continues to aid in the response efforts.
Kent Road from Lake Cable Road to Arlington Road will remain closed until further notice.
The Reno County Sheriff’s Office is on-scene conducting the investigation. Fire District #9 is also cutting down trees that caught fire during the explosion.
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HAVEN, Kan. — The investigation is ongoing by the State Fire Marshal's office and specialists from Haven Midstream into Thursday explosions and fire at the Tenawa facility near Haven.
After letting residents near the plant return to their homes around 6:30 p.m. evacuations were reordered later in the evening after it was discovered that 3000 gallons of liquified gas was still trapped in a containment vessel that might have been compromised in the fire. By about 3 a.m. Reno County officials along with Haven Midstream Plant officials determined the hazard risks had been reduced and the evacuations were lifted.
A reception center was opened at the Salvation Army office in Hutchinson for those who were evacuated. It is estimated that 90 people were placed in hotels for the night due to the overnight evacuation.
All roads have been reopened with the exception of Kent Road from Lake Cable Road to Arlington Road.
Haven Midstream Plant experts are arriving today to evaluate the situation and will determine the next plan of action.
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