Oglesby residents evacuated for short time after gas leak

Residents, businesses were asked to evacuate as a precaution at about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday

Ameren crews work the scene of gas leak in the 100 block of Dale Ave on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 in Oglesby. Residence and businesses in the immediate area were evacuated. The leak occurred shortly before 11a.m. — Ameren crews responded to the scene of a gas like in the 100 block of Dale Avenue on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Oglesby. Residents and businesses in the immediate area were evacuated, but that has since been lifted. (Scott Anderson)

April 19, 2023 at 12:01 pm CDT

Some residents and businesses were evacuated Wednesday morning, and allowed to return shortly after a gas leak had been reported, said Assistant Fire Chief Steve Maltas.

The leak caused a roughly one block area of the city to be evacuated at about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday as a precaution, Maltas said. About three residences and a couple of businesses had evacuated, he said.

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Ameren crews responded to a gas leak Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in the 100 block of Dale Avenue in Oglesby. Residences and businesses in the immediate area were evacuated, but that has since been lifted. (Scott Anderson)

Mayor Dom Rivara said preliminary indications were a gas line was inadvertently struck.

“They’ve got it pinpointed,” Rivara said, “It’s in the area behind John’s Service and Sales.”

Residents and businesses from Dale Avenue to Woodland Avenue and Walnut Street to First Street had been asked to evacuate.

A Code Red Alert was issued that notified residents.