Gas leak prompts mandatory evacuations in Sun Prairie, less than a mile from deadly explosion

SUN PRAIRIE -- We Energies crews repaired two natural gas line leaks which led to the evacuation of dozens of Sun Prairie residents on Friday night, Aug. 3.

Sun Prairie Fire Chief Christopher Garrison told WMTV a passerby called in a heavy odor of gas around 8:30 p.m. near the intersection of East Main Street and Whitetail Drive.

“I think that the precautions that were taken were adequate precautions. I’m very proud of my organization and our police department for the care that they take for our residents," Chief Garrison told WMTV.

According to WMTV, as many as 80 homes were evacuated, located within a half-mile of the reported leak.

It happened less than a mile from the site of the deadly explosion on July 10. You'll recall, a construction crew struck a gas main in downtown Sun Prairie. Fire Captain Cory Barr was killed as he helped evacuate people prior to the blast. Eleven other people were hurt. Six buildings were destroyed.

“When you hear that -- 'natural gas,' 'evacuate,' and you see the firemen again and things moving around, your mind automatically goes there. There isn’t any other place for it to go at this point. I would say we were a little nervous,” said Kathy Cutts who was evacuated Friday night.

We Energies crews monitored the situation through the night.

Fire officials reported "lower explosive levels" were detected at a sewer station on Main Street. Officials said methane sprayed out from that system.

“Because we did get a high reading when we first got here, it was very merited for my shift manager to do what he did and pull this evacuation,” said Chief Garrison.

Red Cross volunteers and a Madison Metro bus helped move evacuees to a staging area at Sun Prairie High School.

Residents were not able to return to their homes until an all-clear was given around midnight.

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