Skip to main content

Gas line rupture prompts evacuation of several blocks

Lead Summary

Early last Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 14, as Missouri River Energy Services workers employed by the City of Benson were boring a new underground electric line they struck a gas line.
Within seconds they could smell the gas and quickly evacuated the area, notifying law enforcement and the Benson Fire Department. A couple residential blocks and businesses around the site near the Shell gas station and Food Shop of Benson on Minnesota Highway 29 south (Church Street) were ordered evacuated by Swift County Emergency services shortly before 2 p.m.
City crews were able to shut off the gas line, stopping the release of gas shortly after the rupture.
When Center Point Energy’s crew showed up to fix the line, they extended the evacuation area. City officials rerouted traffic near the break, which was close to the intersection of U.S Highway 12 west and Minnesota 29. The Minnesota Department of Transportation then issued in a statewide notice that traffic on the highways was being rerouted.
At 5 p.m., MnDOT reopened U.S. 12 west, but it wasn’t until nearly 9 p.m. that Minnesota 29 south was reopened....
 
For more on this story, and to keep up on all the latest news, subscribe to the Swift County Monitor-News print edition or our PDF internet edition. Call 320-843-4111 and you can get all the local news and sports delivered to you!
Pictured: Center Point Energy crews worked to repair a ruptured gas line, Tuesday, Aug. 14, while the Benson Fire Department was on standby if needed. Fire department staff and city law enforcement assisted with traffic control and the initial evacuation of the area.

Sign up for News Alerts

Subscribe to news updates