Kansas Firefighters Hurt in Truck Explosion

KIRWIN, Kan. - An explosion on a truck carrying gas cylinders in northwest Kansas has left four volunteer firefighters injured, two critically.

The firefighters had been called to the scene of a truck fire outside Kirwin on Tuesday evening.

Chief investigator Rose Rozmiarek of the state Fire Marshal's Office said Wednesday the truck contained portable acetylene gas cylinders for crews doing welding work on a nearby water tower.

She said the explosion on the truck occurred as the firefighters were extinguishing the fire.

Two firefighters were in critical condition and were hospitalized in Kearney, Neb. Two other firefighters were treated at area hospitals for minor injuries.

Rozmiarek said the cause of the fire and explosion were under investigation.

Kirwin, a town of 200 residents, has about a dozen volunteer firefighters.

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Permalink Reply by JOSEPH MONTONDO on July 14, 2010 at 7:21pm

THESE FIREMAN ARE IN OUR PRAYERS.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.
DID THESE FIREMAN HAVE A TRUCK ONSCENE ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO FIGHT THIS FIRE? THERE WAS A BRUSH TRUCK IN A PHOTO THAT THE ROOF WAS DAMAGED, AND THERE WAS A BOOSTER LINE RUNNING OFF OF THE TRUCK. I REALLY HOPE THESE FIREMAN WERE NOT TRYING TO PUT THIS FIRE OUT WITH A BOOSTER LINE AND A BRUSH TRUCK.

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Permalink Reply by Kim Stellhorn on July 15, 2010 at 5:00pm

How was it that portable acetylene gas cylinders exploded?
When I first joined the FS I had officers that thought it better not to try and put the fire out but spray water as long as you could. It looked better for the house to burn down and not run out of water than taking a chance on saving it and run out of water.