Natural Gas Leak Evacuates Neighborhood - Westwood

KSHB - November 18, 2009

WESTWOOD, Kan. - A gas leak prompted authorities to evacuate a neighborhood late Wednesday afternoon.

The gas leak was reported at 2545 Belinder Court near 47th and Rainbow. It is the Southern Star Natural Gas Company Distribution Center. The company serves MGE and some Johnson County customers.

Just after 4:30 p.m. a public works employee from Westwood heard gas leaking and recognized the sound. A call to emergency crews was immediately made.

Both the KCK Fire Department and the Johnson County Fire District #2 responded.

Authorities evacuated a two and a half block radius area as a precaution in case there was an explosion.

Once the pumps were turned off by the company, employees went back inside to check for the leak. There was a high-pressure line leaking - 20 inches in diameter.

No injuries were reported.

The evacuation order was lifted just before 6 p.m. when the leak was capped, according to Johnson County Fire.