Fire Department

Several residents on the near-east side were temporarily evacuated from their homes after a vehicle crashed into a building, severing a natural gas line upon impact.

Engine Company 1 arrived on scene to discover a Mercedes sedan resting against the side of a two-flat house. From a distance, it appeared the car had driven directly into a gas/electric meter. That was confirmed when firefighters stepped out of their rig and smelled the strong odor of natural gas along with the sound of gas rushing from the meter. MGE responded to the scene right away.

The driver and lone occupant of the vehicle was out of the car. Engine 1 escorted him to the nearest MPD officer to await an ambulance. He was evaluated by MFD paramedics but was not transported to the hospital.

With MGE now on scene, MFD was advised that the nature of the gas line rupture and necessary mitigation efforts demanded the evacuation of all properties in a 300-foot radius of this house. Engine 1 provided fire protection as MGE began its work to contain the gas leak. Personnel from Ladder 1, Engine 3, Ladder 8, and MPD went door to door to remove occupants from the perimeter.

Evacuation began at 9:42 pm. The leak was contained and all residents, except those who lived at the impacted property, could return to their homes by 10:14 pm. Moments later, the remaining occupants were told their building was safe to occupy. Ladder Co. 1 assessed the building for structural damage, finding no major damage other than a sill plate broken near the front porch.

Schmidt’s Towing removed the car from the home, and MGE advised they could handle the remainder of the repairs.