Witnesses share their point of view from Tuesday’s explosion, fire near Chouteau

CHOUTEAU, Okla. — Officials are sharing more information about Tuesday’s explosion and fire at the GRDA power plant near Chouteau.

It happened around 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Unit Three Combined Cycle Generator, according to GRDA Spokesperson Justin Alberty.

“Right now where we are today is to continue to conduct an assessment of the origin of the fire and the extent of the damage of any unit and as soon as we learn more on that we will be able to share it,” said Alberty.

Multiple area fire departments responded. Now, crews are waiting to do a complete investigation.

“I know they put it out last night and with the heat and everything we wanted to take some time to enter to make sure it is safe to enter,” said Alberty.

One woman who says she lives in the Sportsman Acres and Cherokee Heights area responded to our FOX23 News coverage on Facebook, saying she “heard it and thought it was thunder.”

Alberty says thankfully no injuries were reported. “All personnel were accounted for. We did not have any injuries. That is very important to know that no one was injured in this” he said.

Alberty also points out that no power was disrupted to the thousands of people Grand River Dam Authority provides power to.

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