Following the gas explosion at Main and Avenue E in Hutchinson, Kansas Gas Service has restored natural gas to remaining businesses. A team is available for one-on-one support for affected residents.

Hutchinson officials evacuated several blocks near and around downtown after a gas leak caused an explosion Saturday at a longtime auto parts store, according to fire chief Steven Beer. Firefighters were called at 9:26 a.m. about a gas odor at Steffens Auto Parts, 428 S. Main. It’s an odorized gas, Beer said.

Crews have initiated a defensive operation using unmanned fire streams. All city resources from Hutchinson Fire and Buhler Fire, District 3, and South Hutch were deployed. The State Regional Hazmat team from Sedgwick County will be on-site to perform remote unmanned monitoring for gas.

An explosion caused by leaking natural gas destroyed a building, leading to the evacuation of a large area in downtown Hutchinson.

In the aftermath of Steffens Auto -- a long-standing business in Hutchinson -- being destroyed by a gas-fueled explosion and fire, emotions are heavy and some questions are left unanswered.

“Because this product came from a pipeline, it was odorized gas, it had been through and had the odor added through distribution,” said Tony Tracy with the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office. “In ’01, it was bulk storage, and that had no odor.”

Hutchinson officials evacuated several blocks near and around downtown after a gas leak caused an explosion Saturday at a longtime auto parts store, according to fire chief Steven Beer. Firefighters were called at 9:26 a.m. about a gas odor at Steffens Auto Parts, 428 S. Main. It’s an odorized gas, Beer said.

City of Hutchinson leaders and Evergy give an update on the situation in Hutchinson after the gas explosion that happened on Saturday.