ROGERS, Texas — Authorities have announced the official cause of an explosion at a Rogers car wash on Jan. 18, 2024.
According to Chief Fire Marshal Shane Geers of the Bell County Fire Marshal's Office, the explosion occurred at an Exxon car wash located at 120 W. Mesquite Ave. in Rogers at 8:46 p.m.
According to Geers, the official cause of the explosion was determined to be fuel vapors being ignited by an electrical arc inside the storage unit of the car wash.
A release from the Fire Marshal's Office stated a fuel vapor vent pipe was found to be contained inside the building construction of the car wash and liquor store. Fuel vapors reportedly vented into the storage unit while two males were washing a vehicle in the wash bay.
According to the report, the ignition was caused when one of the males activated the car wash controller, which caused an electrical arc that ignited fuel vapors that had built up in the space.
Geers stated there were no secondary fuel sources to ignite or combust from the original blast.
The two people involved were reportedly treated for 2nd-degree burns and some cuts and abrasions.
The Fire Marshal's Office stated the explosion was determined to be accidental, and no criminal activity has been found in the investigation.
Multiple agencies reportedly assisted in the case, including the Rogers Police Department, Rogers Volunteer Fire Department, Bell County Sheriff's Department Patrol, Bell County Emergency Management, Temple Fire and Rescue Hazmat Unit, Oncor Electric Company and Atmos Energy.
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