Kalamazoo neighborhood evacuated after gas line fire

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KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Authorities evacuated several homes in a Kalamazoo neighborhood for more than two hours Thursday night after a ruptured gas line caught fire.

The fire was extinguished around 8:10 p.m. and residents were being allowed to return to their homes. Utilities to some residences were temporarily shut off.

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Some roads were expected to be closed through the night.

Police and firefighters evacuated all homes within a one-block radius of the fire, and police diverted traffic away from the area.

Firefighters reported a 4-inch (10-centimeter) natural gas line ruptured and was burning under ground in a construction zone, the Kalamazoo Gazette said.

Gas meters to nearby homes were shut off as a precaution.

Natural gas utility Consumers Energy was called in to help with the gas leak.


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