Two people were injured in what the Knoxville Fire Department describes as an “electrical explosion” that occurred at the Knoxville Hy-Vee on Tuesday afternoon.

Just before 2:30 p.m., the Knoxville Fire Department was dispatched to the 800 block of West Rock Island for a reported electrical explosion with burn injuries. The department responded with one engine, one squad, two ambulances, and one command car.

When the crews arrived, Fire Chief Cal Wyman says they found a contractor refrigerant crew, tasked with replacing a compressor, which was involved with an “flash fire.” Medic crews provided advanced life support care to both burn victims on scene and then transported both patients to the Knoxville Airport, where two medical helicopters were awaiting to transport them to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics Burn Unit.

Knoxville Fire Department crews investigated the building to ensure the fire had been extinguished, as well as monitored air quality. The department also assisted in evacuating the store due to the fire and refrigerant leaking from the site. Crews remained on scene until the refrigerant contractor could arrive and isolate the leak. Additional contractor crews were called to the scene to start making repairs, and the store was opened back up a short time later.

The Knoxville Fire Department was assisted on scene by Knoxville Police, Marion County Emergency Management, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and Mid-American Energy.