BRANCH COUNTY (WWJ) - Authorities in south-central Michigan are dealing with a 'major break' in a gasoline pipeline that prompted the evacuation of some residents north of Coldwater on Tuesday evening.
The Branch County Office of Emergency Management said local, state and federal authorities are rushing to repair the leak that occurred 9:40 p.m. on Oct. 17 in the area of Bell Road between Girard and Vincent in Girard Township near the Potawatomie Recreation Area.
Neighbors told FOX 17 that they knew something was wrong after smelling gas in the evening hours.
Emergency services immediately responded to the ruptured River Rouge Pipeline, which is owned by BP, and evacuated nearby residents as they worked on containing the spill and lessen any environmental impacts.
BP stated in a release to FOX 17: "BP activated its Emergency Response Team and is working closely with first responders. The safety and security of the community, the environment, our employees, and the response team are our highest priority."
The National Response Center, Pipelineand Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Environmental Protection AgencyRegion 5, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and BranchCounty Department of Emergency Management were all alerted to the spill.
Crews are currently working to fix the pipeline. The cause of the rupture remains unknown at this time, BP officials said.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest details as they become available. >>> LISTEN LIVE!
