KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety says a ruptured gas line caught on fire, which forced evacuations.
Officers responded to Lake Street and Mills Street Thursday evening.
KDPS says a crew was doing work in the area when they hit a four-inch gas line.
The spark caused flames to shoot up into the air for hours, even reaching up to 20-to-30-feet high.
The department said everyone within a one block radius needed to evacuate immediately. Officers also diverted traffic and asked everyone to avoid the area.
Flames are shooting out following a gas leak in Kalamazoo. pic.twitter.com/eMDHzMMboI
— Matt Witkos Reporter (@matt_witkos) September 8, 2022
Lt. Jason Hendrick told FOX 17 that they had to let the gas burn off.
“It’s very important that when we have gas burning, to burn it off so that we do not have gas starting to accumulate in homes and other areas that are going to be a problem, so it’s actually a good thing to just let it burn,” he explained.
Lt. Hendrick says, despite the massive flames, no one got hurt.
As of about 8 p.m. Thursday, first responders lifted the evacuation order.
By 8:30 p.m. Thursday, KDPS said the fire was out and Consumers Energy had shut down the gas line.
The department says road closures are in place at Lake and Race streets; Vine and Mills streets; Lake and James streets; and Mills Street and Washington Avenue.
These road closures will remain in place throughout the night.
Meanwhile, the city of Kalamazoo said Thursday night that the intersection of Lake and Mills streets will remain closed until further notice after the gas main emergency.
In addition to changes for drivers, sidewalks also will be closed. The city says the following detour routes are in place:
