House Evacuated After Car Crashes Into Natural Gas Station
EAU CLAIRE (KDKA) -- Columbia Gas Co. is making repairs to a suppressor station in Butler County.
According to the Eau Claire Volunteer Fire Department, an SUV crashed into a suppressor station near the intersection of South Washington Street and East Park Avenue. This happened shortly after 11:00 a.m. Sunday.
Two people were inside the SUV at the time of the crash. Nobody was hurt, officials said.
On scene, fire crews reported smelling gas in the air and hearing hissing noises coming from the gas lines. They were unable to locate an emergency shut-off valve and soon evacuated multiple homes nearby for safety.
A nearby neighbor told KDKA, she was shocked there were no explosions from the crash. She along with her boyfriend and two children were among those evacuated.
"I had just gotten out of the shower and I just so happened to look out my window and I seen this car slam right into the gas thing," said Nicole Mershimer, Resident.
Once the SUV was removed from the scene, Columbia Gas was able to begin repairs.
They discovered damage to an outlet valve and the wooden structure surrounding the gas lines was badly damaged.
Columbia Gas told KDKA, service was never interrupted and there is no threat to the public.
Everyone who was evacuated was allowed back home a couple of hours after the crash.