EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO (KCTV/Gray News) – An explosion at an auto shop in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, killed one man and injured another.
The explosion occurred at a Hart auto repair shop just after 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Police said the store owner was cutting a 55-gallon drum with a cutting torch when the drum exploded and a fire broke out.
“It’s devastating,” said Nancy Walker, who lives nearby. “It’s unfortunate. My heart goes out to them.”
People living nearby said they heard a “thud” and then saw smoke.
A nearby apartment building was briefly evacuated before authorities brought the store fire under control.
“I know we ran from there,” said evacuee Draven Killion. “We were trying to get away from it, and so were our neighbors.”
“There was a lot of smoke,” Walker said. “It could be either deep black or light black. It affected my eyes and throat, so I had to go home.”
Police and local residents are now asking the public to keep the victims in their thoughts and prayers.
“The family was here and witnessed much of what happened here today,” said Lt. Ryan Dowdy of the Excelsior Springs Police Department. “They’re dealing with a lot.”
Another injured man was taken to a local hospital and treated for burns to his arm, police said.
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