Gas leak forces evacuations in Columbia, Illinois
COLUMBIA, Ill. — Firefighters responded to a major gas leak in Columbia, Illinois. As a result, Columbia schools, businesses, and surrounding areas were evacuated. Emergency crews have confirmed that the area is now safe and open again.
According to Ameren Illinois, the issue stemmed from a high-pressure natural gas regulator station experiencing a leak. This prompted the evacuation due to concerns about potential fires or gas blowouts. The leak was successfully shut off around 7 p.m., leading to the lifting of the evacuation order. Businesses were permitted to reopen, and roads were cleared for normal traffic.
It’s important to note that the leak did not originate from Ameren Illinois equipment or the gas regulator station. Instead, it occurred on a line belonging to another natural gas provider that serves the area.
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