HOLLAND, Mich. — Ottawa County Central Dispatch Authority says streets impacted by a gas leak near downtown Holland have reopened, after the leak prompted a nearly three-block evacuation earlier Tuesday.
Dispatch sent out a public alert at 7:20 p.m. that the roads surrounding the earlier gas leak at 9th Street and Pine Avenue had reopened. The location is just west of the Hope College campus. The gas leak was first reported around 1:44 p.m. Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, southbound Pine Avenue between 7th and 10th streets was closed, as well as 9th Street between Maple and River avenues.
Ottawa County Dispatch tells FOX 17 there were no injuries.
The Holland Department of Public Safety issued a news release at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday that said a gas line had been struck at the intersection of 9th and Pine, causing a “significant natural-gas leak beneath the intersection. Firefighters worked with SEMCO Energy to isolate the area immediately adjacent to, and downwind from, the leak. A 4-inch gas line serving the area was ruptured due to pipe work in the area.
“Holland part paid firefighters from stations 1, 2 & 3 were requested to respond to the Holland Civic Center parking lot to assist with potential evacuations of the neighborhood and to deny entry to the area. The operation continued until the leak was controlled by SEMCO staff.
Air monitoring of surrounding businesses and underground utility spaces continued until it was deemed safe and the area was reopened. This was completed at 4PM. Several residences in the area were without gas service following the rupture. It was advised that these homes would likely have service restored late in the evening.”
DPS firefighters and police officers helped evacuate people and maintain the perimeter. The Holland Board of Public Works and Holland Street Department assisted on the scene.
Public Safety expressed its thanks and appreciation for the cooperation of those who were temporarily displaced or evacuated.
