Gas leak explosion leads to massive fire

KALAMAZOO, MI – A contractor doing work for Consumers Energy damaged an underground natural gas pipeline before a fire started last week.

A fire started around 5:50 p.m. on Sept. 8, near the intersection of Lake and Mills streets. It was extinguished around 8:10 p.m., the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety said previously.

Related: Kalamazoo neighborhood evacuated after ruptured gas line catches fire in street

A contractor for Consumers Energy hit and damaged the underground line, Consumers spokesperson Josh Paciorek told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette.

Fires because of underground gas leaks are extremely rare, Paciorek said. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

People in neighboring homes were evacuated while the fire was ongoing, KDPS said previously. Gas meters to nearby homes were shut off at the time of the fire.

About 100 customers lost gas service, Paciorek said. Workers went door to door relighting pilot lights to restore service, he said.

The intersection is expected to reopen Friday, Sept. 16, with all-way stop signs, city spokesperson Mike Smith said. A traffic signal will be installed in the future.

A new mast arm, underground wiring and conduit needs to be replaced, Smith said. The goal is to have it replaced between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, but it may not happen, he said. No information about estimated cost of the repairs was available.

People are encouraged to call 811 before digging underground, Paciorek said.

“Safety is always our top priority for employees, contractors and the general public,” Paciorek said. “We try to do all that we can to ensure all of workers go home safely at the end of every day.”

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