HASTINGS Neb. – Hastings officials aren't sure exactly who improperly dumped hazardous chemicals into their sewer system, but they believe a source with commercial or industrial ties is the culprit for a flash fire that happened last Wednesday.

Last Wednesday afternoon around 3:00, vapors from what Hastings Fire and Rescue (HFR) called "volatile chemicals" ignited inside a sewer after it went through a dry sewer line into the basement of a nearby home on S. Woodland Avenue.

The vapors made their way into a house that had a dry p-trap which keeps gases out of lines that connect to the sewer system. A furnace was then ignited, providing a spark to cause a flash fire in the home and the sewer.

"There was never actually a structure on fire, there was an ignition source, a flash fire, which quickly put itself out because it burned all the fuel," said HFR Chief Brad Starling. "It never got hot enough, or sustained long enough to catch anything else on fire, besides charring some clothing within that residence."

Luckily, there was no damage to the home, but Hastings Utilities said the sewer in vicinity of the fire, wasn’t so lucky.

"We just had a contractor out yesterday that did camera maintenance on the system in question," said Hastings Utilities Director of Underground Operations Brandan Lubken. "We did find some new cracks. We're investigating further on that, but there appears to be some damage."

Officials talked with homeowners in the area after the flash fire, with multiple reporting the smells of chemicals entering their homes during that time.

Unfortunately for the city, it's not the easiest thing to figure out if someone dumps chemicals down their drain, but they know the person whose house experienced the flash fire was not responsible.

"It wasn't a residential source, someone in their home didn't do this," said Director of Developmental Services Chad Bunger. "It was more of a non-residential, commercial, or industrial use that was pouring chemicals down our sewer system.

It was a perfect storm that caused this flash fire, as officials say that sewers are designed to keep ignition sources out. Property owners should keep all drains in their residences properly watered to keep potential gases out.