Ithaca Gas Leak

At approximately 10:05 Wednesday morning, the Richland Center Fire Department was dispatched to the 24,000 block of State Highway 58 for a report of a propane leak. Upon arrival fire crews located a natural gas service line near a residence had been struck by a contractor performing ground work. Due to the nature of the leak, varying wind conditions, and unknown when the utility service provider would arrive, the immediate area was evacuated with the assistance of the Richland County Sheriff’s Office. Evacuations included private residences, a day care, and a few faculty members at Ithaca High School. Due to the scope of the incident Richland County Emergency Management also responded. Richland County Ambulance Service responded to establish a reunification point for families of the day care students that were evacuated.

Upon arrival of the utility service provider, crews located low level natural gas readings in the storm drains directly across from the broken service line. The leak was mitigated by the utility service provider around 11:45. All structures in the area were assessed for the presence of natural gas and one residence was ventilated due to low level readings. The storm drain system was also ventilated.

A third assessment for gas readings found no natural gas present in the area structures or storm drain. The area was deemed safe and under control around 12:20 Wednesday afternoon and all responding units cleared.