OAKFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Deputies issued an evacuation warning in Oakfield Township Thursday morning in response to a natural gas leak.
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office says the evacuation impacted homes and businesses on 14 Mile Road (M-57) between Wabasis Avenue and Lappley Avenue.
"At this point, we don't know the specific source, but we do see evidence that it was some activity. We did not have any leaks present prior to the storm last night," said Scotty Kehoe, Director of DTE Energy's Gas Operations.
The Oakfield Township Fire Department, made up of volunteers, originally came to put out two homes that caught on fire. Then they found another home with a gas leak.
"To have something like this where it's multiple houses, it's very uncommon," Kehoe said. "What we thought may have come through the gas lines could have been a lightning strike.
Oakfield Township Fire Chief Samuel Peterson added, "Also could have been something as simple as a power line coming down in the area."
The sheriff’s office says the Oakfield Township Fire Department voided the evacuation order shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday, and everyone involved is okay.
