Man Dies From Gas Geyser Eruption
By Carl Manning

Associated Press Writer
19 January, 2000

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) - Natural gas geysers erupted across the city's east end, sparking explosions and fires that killed one man, critically injured his wife and forced hundreds of people to flee.

Officials worked Friday to plug a leak in an underground gas storage facility blamed for the geysers, which shot up to 30 feet into the air. Workers were also digging new wells to reduce pressure and transferring gas to other facilities.

`It's not as much a threat as before, but it is still a hazard,'' said Fire Chief Gary Frazier.

Bright yellow flames fed by the gas continued to burn downtown, where a blast Wednesday destroyed two businesses, and three miles away at a mobile home park, the scene of Thursday's deadly explosion.

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