February 10, 2012 - 12:53am
Emergency officials respond to gas leak at E. Liberty and S. Division
BY AUSTEN HUFFORD
- A fire truck blocks off South Division while, in the background, construction equipment is being used to try to find the source of the leak. (AUSTEN HUFFORD / Daily)
At approximately 4:30 p.m. today, detectable levels of natural gas were found in the Google Building on South Division Street, according to a DTE Energy spokesman. By 5 p.m., emergency DTE crews and the units from the Ann Arbor Fire Department were reportedly on scene.
Ann Arbor Police Officers closed South Division Street to vehicular traffic from East Williams Street to Washington Street. The street closure caused heavy traffic congestion, adding to rush hour gridlock.
Heavy duty construction equipment was clearly visible in front of the Google Building, and workers appeared to be digging into sidewalk. The nearby Bar Louie restaurant was evacuated, labeled with a sign on the front door that read “Closed Gas Leak.”
As late as 5 p.m., hints of gas could be smelled near the scene.
The DTE spokesman said he was unsure whether the leak was from a main gas line or a service line. He said that crews were still working to find the leak as of 6 p.m.
Acting AAFD Batallion Chief Amy Brow said the leak had not yet been found and therefore gas valves had not yet been shut off.
Brow said the evacuation of nearby businesses was done as a precaution.
“There’s always a potential (for danger),” Brow said.
—Daily News Editor Adam Rubenfire contributed to this report.
