WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: Water issues continue to be a problem in Neodesha after Tuesday's explosion and fire at Airosol Industries.

The battle against the fire depleted water supplies and pressure for the city of Neodesha, making the water unsafe to drink. Wilson County Emergency Management says it could be several days before supplies are safe to use.

On the emergency manager's Facebook page the Neodesha Public Works director recommends people shut off gas to their hot water heaters, or shut off electric hot water heaters, in order to prevent damage to those appliances.

The city of Altoona is opening the grade school at River St. and 8th for people from Neodesha to shower. The school will be open until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. until further notice. You can enter the facility through the south entrance. You are asked to bring your own shower accessories and towels.

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WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE: Governor Sam Brownback has issued a State of Disaster Emergency declaration for Montgomery and Wilson Counties.

The move comes after Tuesday's explosion at the Airosol Company plant explosion in Neodesha.

“"‎Our first priority is the health and safety of all those affected by this explosion,” said Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the adjutant general and director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management in a press release. “We stand alongside the governor, local officials and volunteers, offering immediate, on-the-ground support. During this time of Thanksgiving, we are extremely thankful no lives were lost and pray for the swift recovery of those injured.”

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued do not drink orders for the city’s public water supply. Public water systems along the Verdigris River downstream from the incident, including Independence and Coffeyville, were advised to close their water intakes until further notice so they don’t draw in contaminants from chemicals and/or fire retardant used for to fight fire.

KDEM is coordinating bottled water in conjunction with multiple volunteer organizations. A 6,500 gallon water tanker is supplying water to the Wilson County hospital.

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TUESDAY NIGHT UPDATE:

Neodesha Police Chief Danny Thayer says all evacuated residents are back home and the danger from chemicals burning is gone.

The fire is contained, but not out. Thayer says city officials are starting the recovery phase, meaning crews are no longer fighting the fire. Instead, they are watching for hot spots to make sure the fire doesn't rekindle. Thayer says he expects the fire to be out by Wednesday morning.

"Currently, there isn't any danger of the smoke flume coming back and the chemicals that would have been burning in the original fire have all been burned up," Thayer says.

Tuesday, crews came from as far as Wichita, El Dorado and Winfield to help.

Authorities are still telling people in town not to drink the city water. They say it is safe to flush toilets, but advise residents to use boiled water for cooking or drinking.

The Kansas fire marshal and the ATF will be in Neodesha Wednesday morning to begin the investigation into what caused the explosion.

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UPDATE-- 4:30 p.m.

At a 4 p.m. media briefing, Neodesha City Commission Devin Johnson says the fire that followed the explosion at the community's Airosol Co. Inc. plant is contained.

"We will continue to work to bring this to a conclusion," Johnson says.

Johnson says he is not sure how long the city's "do-not-use-water" order will be in effect. For now, residents are asked not to use water "other than flushing toilets." He says there will be a staging area outside City Hall Tuesday night where people can get water to drink.

Johnson says no other buildings were impacted by the explosion and fire.

In discussing the reduction of the initial evacuation area, he says shelters have closed and most people evacuated have been able to return to their homes.

Neodesha Police Chief Danny Thayer says half-of-a-mile in the initial evacuation area "cut right through the middle of town." Over the next 24 hours, he says access to water will be the city's biggest issue.

Looking further down the road, he says the plant explosion will have a major economic impact in the Neodesha area.

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UPDATE-- 3:15 p.m.

Wilson County Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page the evacuation area has been reduced to the area from 9th street to Neodesha city limits, and from Osage to Carolina.

Southeast Kansas KDOT tweeted U.S. 75 from U.S. 400 to the west city limits of Neodesha has been closed to traffic.

KDOT also tweeted U.S. 400 from Fredonia to Neodesha, and U.S. 75 from the south 75/400 junction to the K-47 junction at Altoona, have re-opened to traffic.

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UPDATE 2:45 p.m.

The American Red Cross responded to support crews battling the fire in the aftermath of the Airosol Plant explosion in Neodesha.

"Multiple fire departments, county agencies and local CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) teams are supporting the effort," the Red Cross says.

To learn more about Red Cross services or to become a volunteer, visit

or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

The organization says volunteers are providing food and beverages for firsts responders and support to the reception center opened for those who were evacuated.

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UPDATE 2:25 p.m.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation into the Airosol Company explosion that left three people injured in the town of Neodesha.

A news release says OSHA will conduct a thorough investigation to determine if any violations of OSHA safety and health standards contributed to the incident.

The company manufactures over 100 aerosol, liquid and specialty chemicals for a variety of industries.

We have a crew at the scene gathering information. We expect an update at 4:00 p.m. and will stream that live.

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Emergency crews are on the scene of an explosion in the town of Neodesha.

It happened at the Airosol Plant just after six o'clock Tuesday morning.

The Wilson County Kansas Emergency Management's official Facebook page posted that one worker was hurt in the blast and EMS is taking them to a Wichita hospital for treatment. Eyewitness News confirmed two more employees drove themselves to Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute for respiratory problems.

Several crews from Neodesha Fire and Law enforcement, Highway Patrol, Fredonia Fire & law enforcement, Wilson Co Sheriff, Wildlife & Parks, Montgomery Co. have responded.

A "Do Not Use Water" order is in effect in Neodesha until further notice. Wilson County Emergency Management said people should not use water for anything but flushing, even if boiled. This is a precaution because of the loss of water pressure which can allow organisms and bacteria into the water system.

According to their website, Airosol manufactures and packages aerosols and liquids for various industries, including automotive and janitorial.

It was established in 1943 in Neodesha. Today, the company says it has more than 40 full-time workers and remains headquartered in Neodesha. They sell products in all fifty states, Puerto Rico and several other countries.

We expect an update at 4:00 p.m. and will stream that live.

Posted by Wilson County Kansas Emergency Management on Tuesday, 22 November 2016