Gas leak at Monroe County correctional facility caused by toilet removal

Jill Bond, The Herald-Times
·1 min read
A Centerpoint Energy worker digs up the gas line at the Monroe County Correctional Center on Sept. 20, 2023.
A Centerpoint Energy worker digs up the gas line at the Monroe County Correctional Center on Sept. 20, 2023.

A gas leak outside the Monroe County Correction Center placed the facility on temporary lockdown Wednesday afternoon, according to a press release from the Monroe County Sheriff's Department.

Around 3:45 p.m., a maintenance crew charged with removing a toilet in the Monroe County Jail damaged an inlet valve for a gas line into the correctional center, resulting in the leak.

Sheriff Ruben Marté called the Bloomington Fire Department and Centerpoint Energy while also ordering that use all gas appliances in the correctional center be discontinued.

A few minutes later, the Bloomington Fire Department arrived to check the air quality levels, which continued every 15 minutes to ensure the gas leak was not permeating the building.

IU Health Bloomington EMS and fire department personnel checked the blood pressure and CO2 levels of anyone feeling the effects of the leak. BFD also monitored air quality to ensure non-explosive levels.

Pizza was provided to inmates for the evening meal after a gas leak at the Monroe County Correctional Center on Sept. 20, 2023.
Pizza was provided to inmates for the evening meal after a gas leak at the Monroe County Correctional Center on Sept. 20, 2023.

Pizza from local shops was ordered for the 200-inmate population, and all staff were on stand-by for evacuation.

Around 6 p.m. Bloomington fire personnel said it was safe to continue operations. Repairs were begun by digging up the shut-off valve.

At 7:12 p.m. the gas leak was stopped by Centerpoint Energy.

Reach Jill Bond at jbond@heraldt.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Monroe County Jail placed on lockdown by gas leak Wednesday