An explosion at Hart’s Auto Repair in Excelsior Springs, MO, on Oct. 16 claimed the life of the shop’s owner and injured another employee, according to a report by FOX4.
The incident occurred around 1:16 p.m. when local authorities received reports of a fire and a man on fire at the auto repair shop located at 10 Schwartz Ave.
First responders arrived to find a fire still active at the scene and a man who was fatally injured. According to Lt. Ryan Dowdy with the Excelsior Springs Police, the victim, a 60-year-old man, was the owner of the business and was using a cutting torch to open a 55-gallon metal barrel when the explosion occurred.
Another employee was also injured during the explosion and was transported to a nearby hospital with burns on his arm. His condition had not been disclosed at press time.
Due to the potential presence of flammable or explosive substances at the auto repair shop, surrounding homes were evacuated as a precaution. Residents were later allowed to return to their homes as investigators continued to assess the scene.
Authorities, including the Missouri State Fire Marshal, are working to determine the exact cause of the explosion. The investigation remains ongoing.
