KANSAS CITY - The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the natural-gas-fueled commercial building explosion in Hutchinson last weekend.
On Saturday morning, a 10-inch gas line ruptured; Steffen’s Auto Parts, a building in downtown Hutchinson, exploded, resulting in long-burning fires. The auto parts shop is a total loss.
One federal investigator arrived Sunday and another five on Monday, commencing the on-site investigation, including inspection of the failed pipe.
On Tuesday, investigators oversaw the extraction and securement of the failed pipe for shipping to the NTSB materials lab in Washington, D.C., for examination.
In coming days, the team will be conducting interviews with personnel and witnesses.
The next update will be the preliminary report, available in about a month.
A final report is expected to be released within one-to-two years.