Ruptured Gas Line Forces Evacuations & Service Interruptions

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - A break in a four inch natural gas line at the intersection of Lake Street and Celia Street in Ironwood caused the evacuation of approximately 75 residents, closed several roads, and interrupted gas service to approximately 300 residences. Power in the area was also interrupted for over an hour while Xcel Energy crews worked on the rupture. At the time of this press release, 3:00 PM, roads were reopened, gas service is being restored, and residents were able to return to their homes. Xcel Energy remains on the scene working on the ruptured line.

The Ironwood Public Safety Department responded to a 9-1-1 call received from a construction crew stating that a gas line had been hit and was ruptured, causing natural gas to flow freely. The Ironwood Public Safety Department, the Ironwood Volunteer Fire Department, and the Hurley Fire Department responded and evacuated residences immediately surrounding the leak. A daycare with 40 children was also evacuated. The Gogebic County Transit provided transportation to and from a temporary shelter at the Ironwood Memorial Building where they received assistance from the American Red Cross. There were no injuries in the incident.

The Ironwood Public Safety Department was also assisted by the Ironwood Department of Public Works, Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department, Gogebic County Emergency Management Director James Loeper, the Hurley, WI Police Department, the Michigan State Police, Beacon Ambulance, the Gogebic County Victim Services Unit.