News Follow-Up - March 13, 2009

A video of this morning’s gas leak has been posted at:

http://www.youtube.com/user/MoCoIndependent

Gas Leak Capped In Columbia – Evacuees Soon To Be Allowed To Return

Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards lets the people evacuated to the Columbia American Legion Hall that the gas leak was capped and they can soon return to their homes.

At 9:42 a.m., Ameren crews were able to cap the gas leak on Ferkel Street on the south end of Columbia. Because of the high levels of gas readings, evacuated residents are asked to wait until 11 a.m. to return to their homes, reports Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards.

Students will also be soon allowed to returned to Immaculate Conception School.

“There were 305 students and faculty at ICS who were taken to the unit building,” said Edwards.

 There were no injuries and everything appeared to run smoothly during the incident.

“This was a well coordinated effort on all parts,” said Columbia Ambulance Service Director. Ken Buss

Mark Juelfs of 223 Ferkel Street lives next door to the home where the gas line break occurred.

“I heard a loud sound and then the whoosh of the gas coming from the pipe,” said Juelfs.

He immediately exited his home and walked to ICS. He said he directed a police officer towards the break. Juelfs waited things out at the intersection of Ferkel and Cherry Streets where a emergency command was set up.

The initial report is that crews from Viele Construction of Belleville accidently sliced a two-inch high pressure gas line with a piece of earth-moving equipment. Viele Construction is one of the firms contracted by the city of Columbia to install a sewer line in that part of town.

Columbia firefighters and utility crews work to cap the broken gas line along Ferkel Street.

Breaking News - March 13, 2009

Evacuation Continues Following Gas Leak

ICS students and residents living on the old town section on the south end of Columbia were evacuated this morning following a gas leak. A construction crew broke a two-inch gas line at 8 a.m., at a home near the intersection of Ferkel Street and Cherry Street. A loud hiss could be heard and the smell of gas was present several blocks away. ICS Principal Mike Kish was one of the first to detect the odor and the evacuation order was immediately given. Ameren crews arrived at the scene at 9 a.m.

All students were transported to the old unit building. Residents were taken to the American Legion.

The leak is expected to be capped by 9:30 a.m. and students and residents are hoping to be allowed to return later this morning.

Construction crews and Columbia utility employees analyze the situation after the gas leak was discovered.

Columbia police officers and firefighters coordinate the evacuation plan. The home with the gas line break is in the background.

Busses stand by ready to evacuate residents to the American Legion.

ICS students are evacuated from their school to the old unit building.