KANSAS CITY, Mo. — KSHB 41 reporter Fernanda Silva covers stories in the Northland, including Liberty. She also focuses on issues surrounding immigration. Share your story idea with Fernanda.
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Multiple gas lines were struck by a fiber subcontractor on Thursday morning in the Indian Hills subdivision of Lexington, Missouri.
The city of Lexington posted on Facebook that a fiber company subcontractor hit a small gas line with a shovel shortly before 8:30 a.m.
About three hours later, a gas line was struck in about the same area.
However, the second hit prompted the evacuation of 5 Lakeview Drive, 46 Lakeview Drive and 47 Lakeview Drive. Plus, residents were asked to avoid the area.
Thursday afternoon, the city provided an update that the fiber subcontractor was working for Comcast/Xfinity. In the post, a spokesperson for the company confirmed work has been shut down through at least next Tuesday.
A spokesperson for the company shared the following statement with KSHB 41 News.:
"As we work to bring the network to Lexington, the safety of our employees, contractors and the public remain our top priority. We apologize for the inconvenience of today’s incident. We are committed to safety and complying with Missouri 811, and we take this matter very seriously."
Liberty Utilities responded in both instances to repair the gas lines.
"This morning, Liberty crews responded to two reports of damaged natural gas lines in the Indian Hills subdivision in Lexington. They stopped the release of gas, and for safety, shut off gas service impacting approximately eight customers. Repairs are completed on one line and underway on the second line. As a precaution, three homes were evacuated. Safety checks were conducted at the homes and the evacuation was lifted. We currently have five customers without service due to the damage. We expect to restore service by this evening. For safety, if residents smell natural gas or otherwise suspect a natural gas leak, they should leave the area immediately, avoid introducing any sources of ignition to the area, and call 9-1-1 and Liberty's gas emergency line at 1-800-406-9220. There is no greater priority for Liberty than the safety of our customers, employees, and communities. We will not hesitate to take any action needed to protect the public."
No injuries have been reported in either incident, according to the mayor — but the area remains on high alert, as this is the latest in a series of gas line incidents in the last couple years.
Resident Rob Endsley watched the repair work unfold on his street Thursday afternoon.
"I'm worried about something blowing up and living so close to it — they didn't evacuate me this time. It kind of makes you want to get up and look out the window," Endsley said. "I want to figure out why they keep hitting them."
Lexington Mayor Tom Hughes said neither line was fully severed.
"Both, in this case, nicked the line. They didn't break the line. They didn't go all the way through," Hughes said. "But if you nick it, you weaken it, so you've got to get it repaired, and that's what's happening."
Hughes said the incidents have him on edge.
"Well, I guarantee it doesn't make you as jumpy as it makes me," Hughes said. "Everybody is still nervous about the explosion. Yeah, we're all nervous."
In May, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway required Liberty Utilities to remap all underground facilities it owns or operates within Lexington. When asked about the progress of that effort, Hughes said the work is ongoing.
"No, they're still working on it, and they're going to work on that. That'll take maybe another year yet to get all the way done," Hughes said.
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