The Champaign Fire Department responded to the report of a natural gas leak in the 1800 block of West Kirby Avenue, Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at 4:08 p.m. Upon arrival on the scene, fire crews found a six inch gas main running along the north side of Kirby Avenue that had begun leaking from work being performed to the gas main.
Crews quickly closed Kirby Avenue to traffic from Mattis Avenue to Crescent Drive and began monitoring for gas in the area. While fire crews were unable to detect significant amounts of gas, homes were evacuated in the 1800, 1900, and 2000 blocks of West Kirby Avenue as a precaution while the leak was brought under control by Ameren. Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit provided shelter to those displaced by the leak.
Thirty-three homes were affected as a result of this gas leak. Ameren will remain on West Kirby Avenue into the night restoring gas service to those affected.
Media Contact: Randy Smith | Deputy Fire Marshal
Phone: (217) 403-7212 | Cell: (217) 840-9434