Missouri Shop Explosion Leads to Death of Owner, Employee Injured

The community of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, is honoring the life of a shop owner who recently lost his life in a shop fire, reports KCTV 5.

A little after 1 p.m. on Oct. 16, the owner of Hart’s Auto Repair Shop had been cutting into a 55-gallon drum with a cutting torch when it exploded. Investigators say this was possibly due to flammable material inside the barrel.

Residents nearby recalled hearing a loud boom and seeing smoke. An apartment building close to the shop was evacuated while authorities arrived and got the fire under control.

Though not connected, this is the second fire erupting from an explosion within Excelsior Springs in less than three months.

One employee was also injured, though was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover.

Following the incident, automotive enthusiasts and all who knew the owner of Hart’s Auto Repair have shared what a great loss his death is for the community.

“He was all about his customers. We’re visibly shaken by it when I heard about it because he was there for his customers. He wasn’t there for himself,” said local resident Kevin O’Connell. “Everyone wanted his help; they wanted his expertise,” O’Connell said. “And he was always willing to share his knowledge and build the industry up in a positive manner.”