HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-01-07-GasLeak
Contact: Marty Doll, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0396 • Fax 952-826-0389 • Web www.CityofEdina.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fire Department thanks residents for cooperation during
gas leak
Edina, Minn., Jan. 7, 2010 – Evacuated Edina residents were allowed to return to their
homes around 9:30 p.m. last night following a gas leak in the area of 54th Street and
Minnehaha Creek.
Shortly after 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 6, the Edina Fire Department was notified of an
underground natural gas leak in the area of 5400 Kellogg Blvd.. As a precaution,
approximately 60 homes on the north and south sides of 54th Street between Minnehaha
and Wooddale avenues were evacuated.
Edina Fire crews and CenterPoint Energy officials immediately began monitoring gas levels in
the area, and members of the Edina Police Department went door-to-door to notify
neighbors. Natural gas was detected in an underground telephone conduit parallel to 54th
Street, but was not detected in storm sewers or homes in the area. Crews continued to
monitor homes approximately every 15 minutes.
Around 5:25 p.m., CenterPoint Energy crews pinpointed the source of the leak in a six-inch
cast iron gas line buried along 54th Street near Minnehaha Creek. According to CenterPoint
Energy officials, the leak occurred naturally as no digging or drilling was taking place in the
area.
CenterPoint Energy crews began digging through the frozen ground to reach the line. At
7:45 p.m., the line was repaired and the leak stopped. Crews then worked to ventilate any
traces of gas still remaining in the underground telephone conduit. At 9:30 p.m., the Fire
Department and CenterPoint Energy officials deemed the area safe and allowed all evacuees
to return home. CenterPoint Energy officials continued to work in the neighborhood
throughout the night.
“We’d like to thank all residents in the area for their patience and cooperation during this
incident,” said Edina Fire Chief Marty Scheerer. “As always, safety was our No. 1 priority.
While gas was not detected in any homes in the area throughout the process, we wanted to
be sure the area was completely safe before allowing residents to return home.”
Questions regarding the cause and nature of the natural gas leak can be directed to
CenterPoint Energy Public Relations Spokesperson Becca Virden at 612-321-4789.
The Edina Fire Department reminds residents to leave their homes immediately if they
smell gas inside, and avoid using light switches, telephones or any devices that could spark.
Once at a safe location, residents should call CenterPoint Energy’s Natural Gas Hotline at
612-321-5200 and 9-1-1.
For more information or safety tips, visit www.CityofEdina.com/Fire or call 952-826-0330.
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