HOISINGTON — Shortly after 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, first responders received a report of a possible explosion in Hoisington and a request for mutual aid. A Great Bend Tribune reporter responding to the scene saw Hoisington Police Department, Hoisington Fire Department and Hoisington EMS personnel at a residence at the corner of Main and Cheyenne streets, north of K-4. What appeared to be a hole could be seen through smoke pouring from the front of the residence, and brick from the front lay on the ground.

Great Bend Fire Department arrived around 5:30 p.m. to provide mutual aid, and a call was out for aid from Claflin, Ellinwood and Pawnee Rock.  Firefighters cut into the roof of the house to provide ventilation. 

A resident at a neighboring house said she was napping earlier in the afternoon when she felt an explosion.  Moments later, she saw smoke pouring out of the residence, and debris including a window frame had landed on her lawn.  

Some residents of the property had escaped the fire.  The fate of one person confirmed to be in the residence was unknown as of press time. 

At 6:42 p.m., Hoisington Fire reported the fire was knocked out, but they would be there several hours waiting for the fire marshal.