Residents in Neodesha were able to return to their homes after an explosion at an Aerosol plant prompted Wilson County Kansas Emergency Management to evacuate part of the town Tuesday.
Firefighters say three people were injured including one worker who was transported to a Wichita hospital in critical condition. Neodesha is about 15 minutes north of Independence. The explosion happened around 6 a.m.
According to WCKEM, additional tankers from neighboring areas were requested to help.
The department says several agencies responded including Neodesha Fire and law enforcement, Highway Patrol and Fredonia Fire and law enforcement.
They have a command center set up at Heller Elementary.
Neodesha firefighters say residents are being asked to not use city water due to extremely low pressure and possible contamination. Water is only expected to be used to flush toilets and other limited life-sustaining uses. Residents should not drink the water or use for cleaning.
According to a release, the city of Independence declared a Stage 3 water emergency. It says the city water treatment plant will stop taking in water from the Verdigirs River at 4 a.m. Wednesday and water testing will take place. This would likely cause many businesses in the area to shut down.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Firefighters says the fire is under control but still burning. Crews are expected to work through the night.
Neodesha is a little more than 100 miles from Tulsa.
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