Homes safe after natural gas leak in Joplin

JOPLIN, Mo. (KOAM) — Crews say a “pretty significant gas leak” happened in Joplin after a construction contractor hit a gas line.

The Joplin Fire Department, street crews and Spire responded to the gas leak around 3:44 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. It happened near the intersection of Chris Lane and Connecticut, which is just north of 17th Street.

Officials closed off Connecticut from 15th to 20th street out of precaution and Fire Department crews started checking natural gas levels in area homes. They checked and cleared about a hundred homes.

One home did get evacuated. Joplin Director of Communications and Marketing Drew Douglas says that home had open windows and the gas was blowing in that direction. Those residents have been cleared to go back inside.

Crews did turn off the gas and continued working to fix the leak. The road was expected to be closed for a few hours during that time.

The City reported there were no injuries.