Natural gas pipeline ruptured in Sheboygan County, 4 people injured
Gas pipeline ruptures in Sheboygan County
A natural gas pipeline ruptured in Sheboygan County on Friday afternoon, injuring four people.
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY, Wis. - An excavation crew struck a natural gas pipeline in Sheboygan County on Friday afternoon, causing a rupture that injured four people and forced dozens of people to evacuate their homes.
Gas main ruptured
What we know:
It happened on Trio Lane in the town of Mitchell, west of Cascade, around 1:20 p.m. According to the Cascade Fire Department, an excavation crew working on a cable struck a 10-inch gas main.
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A Spectrum spokesperson said one of its contractors was involved in the incident. TC Energy is the utility tied to the pipeline itself.
Four people were injured and taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. The Sheboygan County Sheriff's Office said one injured person was a member of the excavating crew.
Trio Lane will remain closed during the investigation. Authorities said there is no further risk to the community.
What we don't know:
The extent of the injuries for the people involved is not yet known.
Was there an explosion?
What they're saying:
While initial reports described an explosion, it's unclear at this time whether an explosion actually occurred.
"Our initial reports, we started receiving reports of an explosion – whether it was or wasn't an explosion remains to be seen – but that was our initial reports from the citizens in the area," said Sheboygan County Sheriff Matt Spence.
Viewer video: Sheboygan County gas line explosion
A neighbor captured cell phone video of the immediate aftermath of the high-pressure gas line explosion in Sheboygan County. Credit: Kenneth Sonnetag.
The rupture did send a large dust cloud into the air.
"In my house with my dog, all of a sudden I heard this loud noise, and it was continual – like an earth-moving noise," said resident Ken Sonnetag. "When I saw it was even more incredible – the dust cloud was huge, hundreds of feet in the air."
Residents evacuated
What they're saying:
Dozens of people had to evacuate their homes.
"Cops are here, gotta go," said resident Morgan Howard. "I think they literally went down the streets and (said), 'Hey, gotta leave, gotta go."
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Where safe, residents were later allowed back inside. However, two homes sustained damage as a result of the rupture and remained uninhabitable Friday night.
"We had first responders from 17 fire departments that dropped everything that they were doing to come help our community," said Spence.
Natural gas pipelines
Big picture view:
While it was not a We Energies pipeline involved, spokesperson Brendan Conway spoke to FOX6 News about natural gas pipelines in general and how they work.
"An interstate pipeline, which is what appears to be hit in this situation, is kind of like it sounds. It carries – much like the interstate system for our cars – natural gas across the country, and then it sends it into our system," he said.
Conway said We Energies' distribution system lowers the pressure and adds a chemical to create a smell for safety purposes, because the gas in an interstate pipeline system is often odorless.
High-pressure gas line hit, background info
Brendan Conway from We Energies joined FOX6 News at 4 to provide some background and context on the situation unfolding in Sheboygan County, where a high-pressure natural gas line was struck. We Energies notes the gas line is NOT owned or operated by We Energies.
Official statements
What they're saying:
FOX6 News received the following official statements about the incident.
Spectrum:
"Safety is our top concern, and our teams are actively engaged to provide support. We will work with authorities to determine the root cause of today’s incident involving our contractor."
TC Energy:
"We care deeply about the well-being of the community and our workers. Your safety remains our highest priority.
"We continue to respond to an incident that caused damage to the ANR Pipeline system in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. It's believed to have been caused by heavy equipment operated by an external party conducting work on behalf of another company unrelated to TC Energy. While the incident did not cause an explosion, the release of gas may have resulted in a temporary dust cloud.
"Our personnel are on site and working closely with landowners, local utilities, regulatory authorities, and first responders. We thank local first responders for their quick and effective actions.
"We are doing everything we can to respond quickly and mitigate any risk to the environment. A repair plan to fix the pipeline is underway.
"A force majeure has been declared as a result of the incident for a minor restriction in gas flow for some customers. There are dual lines in the area and gas continues to be delivered to the community.
"We remind anyone to always call 811 before digging to help prevent line strikes and keep communities safe.
"We will provide additional information as soon as it becomes available."
Editor's note: Law enforcement originally described the incident as an "explosion" but TC Energy and other agencies have clarified that it was a gas line "rupture" that kicked dirt and dust into the air. The story was also periodically updated with new statements and information.
The Source: FOX6 News received information from the Sheboygan County Emergency Communications Center, Cascade Fire Department and TC Energy.