Injuries reported after explosion at rail repair facility near Atchison
An explosion at a rail repair facility west of Atchison, Kan., on Thursday afternoon sent six people to the hospital, officials said.
The victims were being treated for smoke inhalation, burns and a back injury, according to a statement from Wes Lanter, emergency management director for Atchison County. Others were taken in for “precautionary treatment.”
Two men who were burned in the explosion were taken to the University of Kansas Hospital, where the extent of their burns and other injuries were being evaluated Thursday evening.
The explosion occurred about 2 p.m. at GBW Rail Services at 15624 258th Road.
Fire and medical responders told officials that a rail car, possibly containing gasoline, exploded inside a building housing up to 17 workers. All employees were accounted for and had been screened by emergency medical service workers.
The Kansas fire marshal’s office is conducting the investigation.
| Mark Morris, mmorris@kcstar.com, and Alan Bavley, abavley@kcstar.com
This story was originally published December 11, 2014 at 3:54 PM with the headline "Injuries reported after explosion at rail repair facility near Atchison."