***UPDATE: Repairs have been made and the area has been re-opened to traffic as of 9:45 pm this (Friday) evening. Officials say special equipment had to be brought in from Council Bluffs to make the repairs. The area had been cordoned off to traffic since early afternoon. Several homes in the area were evacuated as well. The Estherville Fire Department was on the scene well into the evening. They finally returned to the fire station around 9:40 pm and residents were allowed to return.
(Estherville)– Crews are on the scene in Estherville this (Friday) afternoon after a natural gas line was struck in the area of Highway 9 and Central Avenue. Traffic at that location is currently closed to BOTH east and westbound lanes. Authorities say the closure is likely to continue the next several hours.
A press release from Black Hills Energy says any customer who smells natural gas should leave their home immediately and should NOT use the phone in the house where the natural gas was smelled. They add you should also NOT turn off any lights or appliances as it could cause a spark that could ignite any leaking natural gas.
Crews from Black Hills Energy and the Estherville Fire Department are on the scene.
