The cause of Wednesday’s fire at a natural gas complex in west Lyon County is officially undetermined.
Fire was reported at the Southern Star control room at 2143 Road E shortly before 7 am. Fire was out by 7:35 am, according to Southern Star.
Americus Fire Chief Bill Harmon says firefighters from several departments fought the fire from a short distance.
Harmon says the control room, which takes up about 25 percent of the main building space, was a total loss — but the damage was limited to the control room and did not approach the compressor, which would have drastically increased the chances of a significant fire if the firewall had been breached. Harmon also credited Southern Star employees for their work to shut off the gas flow.
No injuries were reported. Fire crews from Americus, Emporia, Allen-Admire, Chase County and Dunlap were all called to respond, with responses also from Evergy and Lyon County deputies.
