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Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:57 PM CDT
Damaged gas line hinders service near Ashmore



ASHMORE — Heavy equipment being used in a field just west of Ashmore caused a natural gas leak Thursday afternoon that forced Ameren officials to bring in emergency gas supplies to aid customers in the area.

A witness reported seeing a large vapor cloud emanating shortly after 12:30 p.m. today from a point approximately one mile west of Ashmore and more than 150 yards north of Ill. Route 16.

Victoria Busch, spokeswoman for Ameren, said a tiling machine hit a four-inch gas main line, causing the leak. Ameren officials said they hope to have the line repaired by noon today.

Until then, Ameren is going to be able to provide gas to customers affected in Oakland, Brocton and Hindsboro by bringing in four compressed natural gas trailers, Busch said. The trailers will tap into the main pipeline and provide an emergency supply of gas.

However, customers in those cities are encouraged to “curtail (their) gas usage,” Busch said.

If customers don’t have to use their gas, Busch encouraged them not to. Some tips she provided include turning down thermostats on water heaters and avoiding natural gas cooking.

Busch said Ameren has 468 customers in Oakland, 168 in Brocton and 152 in Hindsboro.

The leak also caused emergency responders to block traffic on Route 16 between Charleston and Oakland roads, said Clay Berner, captain for the Ashmore Fire Protection District.

Berner said the gas leak occurred in a field. Both Ashmore volunteer firefighters and Ameren personnel responded to the incident.


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CLICK TO ENLARGE
Kevin Kilhoffer/Staff Photographer -- Natural gas can be seen escaping into the air in a field along Illinois Route 16 west of Ashmore on Thursday after a gas main line was accidentally cut in a field.

Kevin Kilhoffer/Staff Photographer -- Firefighters advise motorists to turn around along Illinois Route 16 west of Ashmore on Thursday after the gas main line was cut. Route 16 was closed as gas traveled across the highway.

 




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