Residents of one apartment complex in east Emporia were evacuated as a precautionary measure after a gas line was clipped Tuesday afternoon.
The incident happened in between several apartment houses and buildings near the northeast corner of 10th and Sylvan shortly before 4 pm. Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Eron Steinlage says there was foundation work underway behind 1004 Sylvan, and the goal was to expose the gas line — not clip it, as what eventually happened.
No injuries were reported. Residents of 1004 Sylvan were evacuated, but no other residents of nearby apartments needed to take that step. Kansas Gas and US Infrastructure Company responded to the call as well.
The gas leak followed a pair of small fires that happened northeast of Emporia within minutes of each other. Steinlage says the fires happened along Burlingame Road, one near Road 210 and the other near Road 230, shortly after 1:30 pm. Both were apparently caused by a dragging chain. Fires burned less than 10 feet before they were put out.
