Three young teens were the subject of a stormwater sewer line search Monday night after they opened a manhole and climbed inside.
Centralia Police and Fire were called by a concerned resident in the area of 4th and Walnut who saw the three lower themselves through the manhole and never come back out.
A fireman entered with a rope and monitor to explore the stormwater sewer lines but never saw any signs of the boy. However, a public works employee found a manhole opened near 5th and Maple with fresh footprints leading them to believe the teens may have come out of the system from that location.
Authorities later came into contact with a friend of the three who reported he had just seen them ten minutes earlier and they were fine. The friend was able to provide authorities with their names. Their parents were then contacted who confirmed the boys were safe.
The three boys were reportedly bragging to the friend that they had done the same thing on Sunday.
Centralia Public Works officials warned against entering the stormwater sewers, noting any rain storm would quickly fill up the sewer lines which could lead to a tragic end.
