UPDATE: Gas Leak Contained
(UPDATE: Word has been received at 6:53 p.m. that the gas leak in Warsaw has been stopped. NIPSCO is on the scene and will continue to be in the area for some time, but the leak has been stopped.)
From Earlier….
Warsaw and Winona Lake fire departments are now on scene of a large gas leak in Warsaw and the area of concern is growing.
According to Warsaw Fire Chief Mike Brubaker, Fort Wayne Street has now been closed from Roosevelet to Lincoln streets. Also, Harrison Street is closed from Center to Sheridan, and McKinley Street is closed from Main to Clark streets. The initial closing was from McKinley to Harrison streets.
A large, four-inch high-pressure steel gas line has sustained several breaks. The natural gas, as seen in the video, is visible leaking from several locations along Fort Wayne Street in front of the Warsaw Police Department. Brubaker says the gas has entered into the storm sewer, which also runs along Fort Wayne Street.
NIPSCO is on scene and has called for a special crew from Gary, Ind. Even after NIPSCO crews begin to repair the leaks, they say it will take several hours. Because it is a steel pipe, a welder must be called in.
At this time Brubaker says no evacuations are necessary, but fire and police officials will remain on the scene barricading the area until the leaks are contained. If the wind dies down, evacuations could occur.
In the meantime, residents are asked to stay away from the area as it is a very dangerous situation.