Explosion, Fire At Waukesha Airgas: Update

WAUKESHA, WI — There has been an explosion and an apparent fire at Airgas on Sentry Drive in Waukesha, city officials are reporting. The explosion was reported at just after 2 p.m. Thursday.

At about 1:45 p.m. authorities in Waukesha received several reports of an explosion near Airgas in Waukesha. When they arrived at the plant and spoke with managers there, they learned there had been an explosion in the Hydrogen storage area of the plant.

Police said that Airgas management said that all workers were out of the plant area and accounted for.

The Waukesha Fire Department quickly learned that a number of small cylinders were leaking and a small fire was in that area. Fire Department personnel immediately isolated the area around the plant, cutting off walkways and roads around the plant. Then crews were sent to extinguish the fire.

According to the Fire Department, after the fire was put out, a number of damaged tanks were left to finish expelling gas. One Airgas employee was treated at the scene by Waukesha Fire Department personnel, but refused further treatment or transport.

As of Thursday afternoon, investigators with the Waukesha Police and Fire departments are working with Airgas representatives to determine the cause of the explosion. All roads in the area are back up for business, none of the neighboring businesses were closed due to Thursday's incident.

This is a developing story.