A gas leak led to the response of numerous Boone County emergency personnel and the evacuation of one residence as a precaution due to its lower-explosive levels that were detected.
On Tuesday, Sept. 10 just after 5 p.m., Bat201, E211, L213, Boone County EMS and Lebanon Police Department crews were reportedly dispatched to the intersection of Atlas Drive and Cyprian Way on a ruptured gas line, and while in route, fire crews were advised that rupture was caused by an excavator that struck an unmarked gas line.
According to responders, public safety personnel could immediately decipher the smell of mercaptan, known as rotten eggs, in the area upon arrival. The fire department stated that natural gas is odorless, but mercaptan possesses a foul smell that is added to the natural gas to ensure leaks are detectable. However, the department reported that the smell of mercaptan does not indicate the amount of gas in the area.
Lebanon Fire Department and Center Point Energy crews reportedly monitored the area with gas meters with the roads, yards and neighboring houses being constantly monitored for the lower-explosive levels of natural gas.
The department stated that only one house was evacuated as the home had reached 40% of the lower-explosive level. The department reportedly acted with an abundance of caution, shutting off the electricity in the areas near the leak to ensure that a spark would not detonate the gas.
“Natural gas becomes dangerous when it is concentrated between 5% to 17% of the total volume of ambient air,” the department released. “The 40% detected represents the percentage toward the 5%. To clarify, the evacuated house had less than half the concentration of natural gas needed to reach the lower-explosive limit.”
According to the department, the leak was secured just before 8:45 p.m. Tuesday night.
Community members are encouraged to call 911 if mercaptan is noted in the area, and the department issued a note that the smell of mercaptan may travel further than the natural gas.
