Elliot Olsen is a prominent fire and explosion lawyer who has regained millions for clients. If you were injured in Thursday’s Waukesha gas explosion or St. Louis house fire, please call Elliot at (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation.
An explosion at the Waukesha gas company Airgas injured a worker and rattled windows around the Wisconsin city 18 miles to the west of Milwaukee.
The Waukesha Fire Department said it contained a small fire after the explosion, which was reported shortly after 1:30 p.m. Thursday. The department statement also said that firefighters vented gas from remaining damaged and leaking cylinders to avoid further danger.
Facebook and Twitter posts, sent around 2:15 p.m., did not specify whether the explosion occurred at Airgas’ retail store at 309 Sentry Drive or its fill station at 401 Sentry Drive. A news release said the explosion was centered in the hydrogen storage area on the facility grounds.
Waukesha gas explosion:
Sentry Drive closed down
The explosion forced the closure of Sentry Drive as fire officials assessed the dangers.
Airgas, which is located on the east side of the road opposite Waukesha’s water treatment plant and recycling facilities, is surrounded by other industrial neighbors, most notably SPX Waukesha, a transformer solutions company that operates a large plant to the east of Airgas.
Waukesha gas explosion:
Shock waves felt around town
The incident generated a blast that was felt not only in the surrounding neighborhood but also well beyond.
Adam Heath, who works about 300 yards from Airgas, said he felt the explosion from his building.
“All of a sudden there was a massive boom and it shook our whole building,” he said in a Facebook message. “It was absolutely crazy and such a scary feeling.”
Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly said he wasn’t sure what was happening when the explosion sent shockwaves across his city.
“I’m at home, and I could feel it,” Reilly said shortly before 3 p.m. The mayor said he lives near East Avenue close to downtown.
City administrator Kevin Lahner said he was awaiting more information after the blast left residents curious.
“What I know isn’t much at this point,” he said about 90 minutes after the explosion. “There are people who heard it.”
Waukesha gas explosion:
Worker treated at scene
Officials for the fire department said the injured employee was treated at the scene. They also said the worker declined further medical attention.
Fire and police officials are working with Airgas officials to determine the cause of the explosion.
A Waukesha gas explosion Thursday afternoon at the gas company Airgas injured an employee and sent shockwaves around the Wisconsin city 18 miles to the west of Milwaukee. … Meanwhile, a St. Louis house fire Thursday evening injured two people, including a firefighter who had to be rescued from the burning building. The person inside the home was taken to a hospital.
St. Louis house fire injures
two, including firefighter
From Fox 2 News, St. Louis: A firefighter was one of two people injured in a house fire Thursday evening in north St. Louis. The fire started at about 7:45 p.m. on Partridge Avenue near Baden Avenue.
Officials said the firefighter had to be rescued from the burning building.
The person who was taken from inside the home was hospitalized, but no information was released on the extent of their injuries.
An investigation has begun into what started the fire.
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