On Tuesday afternoon, the Kansas Star Casino was rocked by a terrifying incident that left patrons and employees fleeing for safety as a fire raged through the building. The suspected cause of the blaze? A lithium battery explosion that occurred in one of the casino’s backrooms.
According to officials, the fire broke out around 2:30 p.m. in a storage area located behind the casino’s main gaming floor. Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang followed by a sudden burst of flames and smoke. Within minutes, the area was engulfed in flames, prompting the evacuation of the entire casino.
“We were just sitting at our slot machines when we heard this huge explosion,” said one witness. “We looked over and saw smoke pouring out of one of the rooms. It was chaos – people were running everywhere.”
As firefighters raced to the scene, casino staff worked quickly to evacuate guests from the building. The entire casino was cleared within minutes, with patrons and employees gathering outside to watch as emergency crews battled the blaze.
Investigators later determined that the fire was likely sparked by a lithium battery that exploded inside the storage room. Lithium batteries are commonly used to power electronic devices, and their tendency to overheat and combust has been well-documented in recent years.
“The presence of a lithium battery in the area where the fire originated leads us to believe that this was the cause of the blaze,” said Fire Chief Mark Walton. “Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, but it serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with these types of batteries.”
As firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish the flames, casino management announced that the building would remain closed until further notice. Guests were advised to check the casino’s website and social media channels for updates on when it would reopen.
In the meantime, investigators will continue to examine the scene of the fire to determine the exact cause of the lithium battery explosion. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of proper battery management and safety protocols in public spaces.
For now, the Kansas Star Casino remains closed as crews work to assess the damage and ensure the building is safe for patrons to return. As the investigation unfolds, one thing is clear – the dangers of lithium battery explosions are very real, and can have devastating consequences if not properly managed. Overall, the safety of all those involved is the top priority and a full investigation will ensure that measures are put in place to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.