(Courtesy of Kip Hildebrand)
HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Two local businesses in Hutchinson were destroyed Friday night after a two alarm fire at Midwest Sewing and Vaccum and Nelson Heating and Air Conditioning across the street from Dillons at 211 West 5th.
Fire investigators will begin looking into the cause of the fire which was reported around 9:15 p.m. Friday night according to officials at Nelson. The building houses the sewing store in the front and Nelson’s in the back.
They tell Hutchpost that the building is a total loss with the whole front of the building suffering severe damage and extensive damage at least part way back. There is some concern for the structural integrity of part of the building. They said they were notified around 9:15 p.m. that the building was on fire and were there as firefighters fought the blaze. They were told of some explosions during the fire but weren’t sure what might have caused them.
The State Fire Marshals Office are assisting local fire officials investigate the cause of the fire. Crews were back on scene Saturday morning.
There was one Nelson van in the back of the building, but it was spared.
5th street was blocked off while crews worked the fire, but the road was back open Saturday morning and firefighters had cleared the scene, but are back on scene now.
No one was injured in the fire.
The morning after, this is the front of the building.