(Ruthven)– A natural gas leak this (Wed.) afternoon resulted in a portion of Ruthven being evacuated.
Palo Alto County Emergency Management Director Jeret Lee says a two inch gas line broke at the base of some grain dryers at the Farmer’s Co-Op Elevator on Main Street around 2:15 p.m.
The Ruthven Fire Department stood by as authorities evacuated about a four block area surrounding the scene. Evacuees were sent to the Ruthven Care Center. Students at the school were locked down.
Officials with the regional office of Mid-American Energy in Algona arrived a short time later and shut off the gas and electricity.
There was no explosion and no fire. No injuries were reported.
The gas dispersed around 4:00 p.m. and residents were allowed to return to their homes and businesses and children were allowed to leave the school.
Authorities aren’t sure what caused the line to break. David Shipper of the State Fire Marshall’s Office is investigating.
