Some businesses evacuated due to a gas leak in Delano

This story has been updated with new details about the leak and when the leak started.

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Some businesses in the Delano District have been evacuated because of a gas leak. A City of Wichita spokesperson says an excavator hit a six-inch steel gas line in an alley, and the line is actively blowing gas.

The incident happened shortly before 1 p.m. near Douglas and Osage. The Wichita Fire Department is on the scene and says the gas line break is just north of Douglas, on Pacific. The City says businesses in the immediate vicinity have been evacuated, but nearby homes are safe for now.

The Wichita Fire Department has 15 to 20 firefighters on the scene.

“We’ve got pressure lines protecting businesses on the east and west side of the leak,” Battalion Chief Chad Winton, WFD, said. “They’re going to stay in place, so traffic’s going to be a little bit deterred.”

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Osage and Handley are closed between Douglas and First Street.

Winton says Black Hills Energy is working to stop the leak.

“They’re trying to bust some concrete in an alley south of the leak, hoping to come across the PVC part of the pipe,” he said. “Where it’s broke is steel. There’s a junction where the steel goes to PVC. They’re wanting to crimp the gas line right there.”

The fire department is monitoring the wind speed. Winton says, so far, it has been gusting 13 to 20 mph.

“It’s not letting the gas pool,” he said. “We have checked all the businesses. They are clear. There is no hazard of gas pooling at a business. The gas company has gone along and drilled holes in the street to make sure we don’t have anything pooling in the soil. All the precautions have been taken. Right now, it’s just waiting for them to crimp the pipe.”

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