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Gas leak forces evacuation in Clintonville

Caused by ‘human error,’ fire chief says

By Erik Buchinger


A gas leak forced an evacuation of 60 homes and approximately 100 people on Monday, March 25 around 4 p.m.

The gas leak occurred at a residence at 123 Brix St. The evacuees congregated at the Clintonville Public Library and St. Martin Lutheran Church.

We Energies workers hustle back to their trucks to grab some tools during the gas leak situation. The workers closed the valve with a crescent wrench to shut off the flow of natural gas. Jeff Hoffman photos

“I don’t know exactly what happened, but it was some sort of human error,” Clintonville Fire Chief Shane Krueger said. “They broke off a residential gas meter supply line from the house. I believe it was hit by a vehicle or a trailer, but I’m not exactly sure.”

Homes were evacuated on Brix, Hemlock, West, Eighth and Dodge streets.

“We Energies was brought to the scene, and they did the repairs and shut it all off,” Krueger said. “We did the evacuation, and they handled the gas leak and repair.”

The gas was shut off around 5 p.m., and residents returned to their homes about two hours later because each residence needed to be checked for residual natural gas.

“Homes around it and the home impacted had to be ventilated before we had them go back in the area,” Krueger said.

“Everything was all taken care of,” Krueger said. “Everybody got out safe, and it all went well.”

If residents ever encounter a gas leak, Krueger recommends they evacuate upon sight of blowing debris, hissing sounds or the smell of gas. Avoid using items that may cause a spark and call 911 from a safe distance.

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