[Press Release] : Natural gas leak causes street closures and evacuation of downtown businesses

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Battalion Chief Steven E. Sapp, Public Information Officer -
(573) 874-7557

Natural gas leak causes street closures and evacuation of downtown
businesses 

COLUMBIA, MO (February 28, 2007) -- The Columbia Fire Department
responded to a report of a natural gas leak outside of 407 E Broadway,
the Second Baptist Church, at 10:58 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27.

When firefighters arrived they encountered an active natural gas leak
on the west side of the new addition to the Second Baptist Church. It
was later determined that a contractor replacing the sidewalk along the
west side of the church, struck and ruptured a shallow two-inch natural
gas line. 

Fire crews evacuated several buildings around the gas leak including
the Water and Light Engineering Building, the Boone County Bank Service
Center, and Jiffy Lube. In addition, Walnut between Providence, Broadway
between Providence and 5th, and 4th Street between Walnut and Broadway
were all closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic. 

Fire crews also placed elevated water towers in service and several
other hose lines in the ground to protect the buildings and AmerenUE
workers in the event of a fire or explosion. Crews also monitored the
natural gas levels in buildings around the area and found the highest
concentration of natural gas in the Second Baptist Church. Fire crews
used large electric fans to remove the natural gas from the church. 

AmerenUE crews were on the scene quickly after the natural gas leak was
reported and were able to crimp the service line closed and stop the
flow of natural gas until repairs could be made. 

Fire crews, along with AmerenUE crews, continued to monitor natural gas
levels in the buildings until all readings had zeroed out. Fire crews
then loaded the hose lines and were able to clear the scene around 12:30
p.m. 

AmerenUE crews remained on the scene making repairs to the service line
and restoring gas service to customers that may have been shut off. 

There were no injuries to civilians or fire personnel. 

- 30 -
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