Excelsior Springs community remembers business owner who died in explosion

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. (KCTV) – Besides the auto shop, people in the car repair business across Excelsior Springs say the entire industry lost a great friend to the fire that took the life of the owner of Hart’s Auto Repair Shop.

Every day they say he made the job more fun.

When you came to Hart’s Auto Repair Shop, Kevin O’Connell says the owner and staff treated you like family.

“He was all about his customers,” O’Connell recalled Thursday, a day after an explosion at the auto shop killed a man and injured another. “We’re visibly shaken by it when I heard about it because he was there for his customers. He wasn’t there for himself.”

Thanks to Hart’s Auto Repair, Kevin believes his shop became popular because they looked out for him.

“He worked hand in hand with us, getting parts from us, getting help that way,” O’Connell said. “It was really enjoyable to talk and help him. Makes the job more fun and good.”

Excelsior Springs has now seen two fires erupt from explosions less than three months apart. They’re not connected but it’s taken a toll on the fire department.

“We do the best training we can and obviously we saw points where we can be stronger”, Fire Chief Joe Maddick said. “And we’ll work on that and refine our tactics a little bit.”

Investigators say the owner of Hart’s was using a cutting torch to open a barrel before it exploded, possibly due to some flammable material inside it. The garage may sit in ruins, but local auto-repair experts want to team up and honor the legacy the owner leaves behind.

“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.”

Both the Excelsior Springs Fire Department and Excelsior Springs Police Department would not identify the owner who died in the fire.

The Missouri State Fire Marshal is also assisting in the investigation. Another employee experienced burns from the explosion but is expected to recover.

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