The Atlantic Fire Department responded to a natural gas leak at 709 Elm Street late Sunday night. Fire Chief Mark McNees says a neighbor called in the report at around 11:38-p.m.  Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a broken joint on the line leading to the gas meter. The gas was successfully shut off, and the neighbors at 711 Elm were evacuated after investigation revealed the home at 709 contained a large amount of natural gas. The home was unoccupied for the evening, except for the homeowner’s dog.

Alliant Utility workers arrived and began digging the entrance line as the leak was feared to be underground as well.  Atlantic Municipal Utilities was also called to shut off the electricity to home to avoid any potential ignition sources. After excavating the underground entrance line and discovering no other leak, the neighbors were allowed back in their home. The occupant was located and advised of the situation.

The homeowners advised they had recently replaced a foundation wall. The ground area beneath the gas meter had settled greatly since then and allowed the meter and line to sink into the ground causing the break.

Alliant and Atlantic Fire officials remind residents that any excavation around a gas meter is dangerous and proper backfilling underneath the lines and meter is critical to prevent such settling and possible breaks and leaks.

Fire Chief Mark McNees says “Thankfully disaster was averted in this case. Had this happened later in the evening the result could have been much worse.  It was a dangerous situation for some period of time until the home was ventilated and we were sure there was no more underground leak.”

The Atlantic Fire Department was also assisted by the Atlantic Police Department and the Cass County Sheriff’s Department. The AFD was on scene for 2 hours.