Gas Leak Causes Evacuation
By: Import User
Updated: June 7, 2007
A gas leak in Mt. Carmel, Illinois caused a mandatory evacuation of hundreds of residents.
EPA officials narrowed the leak down to a gas station on the corner of Walnut and 3rd Street.
From here, gas traveled more than 8-blocks through residential neighborhoods.
Numerous people have gotten sick from the gas fumes. The Red Cross has set up a shelter at south elementary school on 3rd Street.
Emergency crews made an interceptor ditch around the leak to keep it from draining into the sewer system.
Area firefighters are bringing in water tanks to flush the remaining gas through the sewer.
Its unclear at this time when the evacuation will be lifted.
