Gas Line Rupture Forces Evacuation of Wildwood Homes

A gas leak forced the evacuation of around five homes and prompted searches in several more in Wildwood yesterday morning. 

Officials with the Metro West Fire Department reported that a construction contractor digging on Audubon Village Drive south of Manchester Road struck a 4-inch pipe at shortly after 8 a.m.

The breach did not spark a fire and Metro West Emergency Management Coordinator Michael Thiemann said no one was injured. 

However, the department proceeded to evacuate five homes and physically checked around a dozen along with nearby sewers. No high levels of gas were found. 

"We have no concerns that it is seeping through the ground," he said, speaking to Patch Wednesday morning.  

The hectic morning then turned into a waiting game for residents as it took several hours for Laclede Gas to come and successfully seal off the pipe.  

Emergency crews reported the rupture at around 9 a.m. on Facebook with a post asking residents to evacuate the area of Audubon Village Drive as a precautionary measure.

For more, see coverage from Patch news Partner Fox2.