Construction work in southwest Emporia led to a large gas leak that shut down traffic across four city blocks Tuesday afternoon.
Emporia Fire, Emporia Police and the Kansas Gas Service were all called to the intersection of 5th Ave. and Funston Street right around 3:30 pm for a reported leak. According to Fire Battalion Chief Eron Steinlage, the leak developed after a construction crew accidentally struck a four-inch gas line.
Traffic from Prairie to Wilson Street was closed for roughly an hour as crews worked to fix the leak. Steinlage says the construction crew did follow all safety protocols and mark out all service and utility lines in the area prior to beginning their work.
No injuries were reported.
4:54 pm Tuesday:
A large gas leak shut down traffic between four city blocks in southwest Emporia Tuesday afternoon.
Emporia Fire, Emporia Police and the Kansas Gas Service were all called to 5th Ave. and Funston Street just before 3:30 pm for a reported gas leak. EPD then quickly closed down through traffic on West Sixth Ave. from Prairie to Wilson and asked residents to avoid the area south of the railroad tracks for roughly an hour.
Full details are currently pending. We will have updates as they become available on KVOE and KVOE.com.
3:57 pm Tuesday:
Local authorities are investigating a large gas leak in southwest Emporia.
Emergency personnel was called to the intersection of 5th Ave. and Funston for a reported gas leak just after 3:30 pm.
The Emporia Polic Department tells KVOE News that traffic in the area from Prairie to Wilson has been shut down. Motorists are told to avoid all areas south to the railroad tracks until further notice.
We will have updates on KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media as they become available.
