Updated Oct. 28 at 11:20 a.m.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A portion of the Hutchinson Correctional Facility was evacuated Monday morning after a gas line break. According to Prison Spokesperson Jordan Bell, a maintenance crew was repairing a water main break when they struck an adjacent gas line.
The Hutchinson Fire Department responded and helped monitor the area to make sure gas hadn’t collected in any buildings.
The incident forced the prison to evacuate the east yard, which is mostly a maintenance area. A few inmates were working in the area at the time, but most of the evacuees were staff. The break did not affect the cell block area of the prison, although the facility is without hot water.
The were no injuries reported. The evacuation lasted only a short time until the area was secured.
Updated Oct. 28 at 9:52 a.m.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Fire crews are still at the prison monitoring the area of the gas line break. Any evacuations are over and entry into the buildings is being allowed at the discretion of the prison.
The fire department is on standby at the prison while the area of the break is secured. No injuries have been reported. There’s no word on who was evacuated during the incident or where on the prison grounds the break occurred.
Original Story
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Fire Department has responded to the Hutchinson Correctional Facility for a gas leak.
According to Reno County 911, a work crew hit a gas line just before 9:30 a.m.
That area of the prison has been cleared. No other details are available and there are no reports of injuries at this time.