Kansas Gas is repairing a gas leak that developed in northwest Emporia on Friday morning.
The leak was reported around 9:40 am on Prairie Street near the south leg of 24th Avenue, outside Four Seasons Apartments and Greenbriar Estates. Emporia Fire has confirmed a high-pressure line was struck. Communications Manager Christine Torrens says the affected line was two inches in diameter, and City Engineer Jim Ubert says this was likely as the result of the 24th and Prairie waterline replacement process. Ubert also says the affected line was relatively shallow and not in a position where excavators would expect to encounter a gas line.
Lyon County Emergency Communications also says most nearby residents were advised to shelter in place despite the noticeable smell of gas as far away as 22nd Avenue.
No injuries have been reported.
Prairie Street was already blocked off from near the 24th Avenue south leg south to 22nd as part of the 24th and Prairie waterline replacement project underway now through at least summer 2025. As a precaution, traffic was blocked just north of Interstate 35.
Additional details are pending. Updates are coming through the day on KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media.
