Centralia Police say 20 to 30 homes on the city’s southeast side had to be evacuated early Monday morning when a pressure relief valve on the Ameren Natural Gas system began allowing gas to escape.
Police Chief Greg Dodson says police went door to door to homes on Jonquil and Holly along with some abutting homes on South Perrine and 14th Street around 12:30 Monday morning asking residents to evacuate due to the leaking gas.
The Police Department received assistance from Central City and Wamac Police as well as the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. Dodson reports some went somewhere else for the evening while others waited outside the perimeter area until the all-clear was given around three Monday morning.
The Centralia Fire Department stood by in the event of any problems with the leaking gas until Ameren gas crews arrived to repair the problem. They report no issues developed.
Ameren spokesperson Brian Bretsch says the relief valve worked as it was designed after something malfunctioned in the gas line to allow too much gas pressure. He notes the valve is designed to prevent too much gas pressure to be delivered to homes that could cause problems. Bretsch says once the Ameren crews reviewed the situation and determined there was no danger, the all-clear was given before repairs were completed.
