UPDATED BREAKING: Officials on the scene of a gas leak in the area of Clay/Vigo County Line

Monday, May 13, 2019 ~ Updated 5:38 PM
Officials are on the scene at the intersection of US 40/340/Miami Gardens Road assessing a possible gas leak at this time.
IVY JACOBS photo

UPDATE 5:30 p.m. - Clay County Emergency Management Director Bryan Husband has advised The Brazil Times there are numerous homes that are customers of Vectren currently without service due to the natural gas line repairs going on at 340/Miami Gardens Road. Husband said natural gas is lighter than air so the amount that did leak out dissipated quickly.

Vectren has shut off the gas lines to complete the necessary repairs, and Husband was unclear how long that would take.

“Once the threat diminished because the gas was shut off we left the scene,” he said, crediting all the agencies working together to resolve the situation for the safe outcome. “Was it dangerous? Yes. Was it manageable? Yes. Everyone worked really well together.”

The immediate threat was rescuing an unidentified Duke Energy crew member stuck in a bucket truck after the gas line was inadvertently ruptured.

Husband said members of the Brazil Fire Department used their aerial engine with the extended ladder to remove the crew member safely out of harm's way and away from the leak without any risk of sparking the gas.

Members of Dick Johnson, Posey, Cory, and Seelyville fire departments were at the scene set up and ready in case something ignited during the incident.

No injuries have been reported during the incident.

UPDATE 3 p.m. - Officials have confirmed that firefighters rescued an unidentified Duke Energy crew member in a bucket truck after a Vectren gas line was punctured Monday afternoon.

According to Duke Energy District Manager Rick Burger, no one was injured during the incident, and the crew member was rescued as part of the company’s safety protocols for this type of situation.

Burger explained the workers at the site were setting a new pole at the location when it accidentally struck a Vectren natural gas line, which was properly marked.

Burger said approximately 20 customers were affected by the incident.

Repairs are underway and the road at 340/Miami Gardens is closed to allow the strong gas odor to dissipate.

Meanwhile, Clay Community School Corporation officials confirmed to the Brazil Times the gas leak situation at the Clay/Vigo county line did not cause a major change in the bus routes when school let out Monday. No more than two buses were easily rerouted around the area of the gas leak to take students home.

UPDATE 2:10 p.m. - Officials have confirmed there is a gas leak at the intersection of US 40/340/Miami Gardens split. Highway 40 is open at this time, but 340 and Miami Gardens is currently closed.

Local officials along with members of Dick Johnson, Posey, Cory and Brazil Fire Departments are assisting at the scene.

Shortly after 12:30 p.m., Monday, officials were notified of a potential gas line break near the Clay/Vigo county line at the US 40/340/Miami Gardens Road split.

At this time there is little information to provide.

Officials are on the scene assessing the situation.

The Brazil Times will update this story as official information is made available.

TRAVEL ADVISORY: Motorists traveling along US 40 near the Clay/Vigo county line might want to consider an alternate route of travel over the next couple of hours. Officials are on the scene at the intersection of US 40/340/Miami Gardens Road assessing a gas leak at this time. Details are limited, but there is a strong gas odor in the air.

Clay County Emergency Management Director Bryan Husband is on the scene with other local officials, including several fire departments.

Motorists are urged to slow down in the area and pay attention to workers.

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