Joplin Walmart store on Range Line evacuated; 4 treated for gas inhalation
May 13—Four people were taken to Joplin hospitals Monday for medical symptoms that were suspected to be the result of low-level natural gas exposure at a Range Line Road store.
The Joplin Fire Department was dispatched at 12:27 p.m. to Walmart, 1501 S. Range Line Road, in response to calls made to the Joplin 911 center about a possible natural gas leak at the store. After several people in the store were found to be exhibiting symptoms, firefighters used metering devices to test for the presence of natural gas and found low-level readings.
The decision was made to evacuate the store until the source could be identified.
METS ambulance transported the four people experiencing symptoms for medical treatment.
Spire, the natural gas service provider, conducted testing and determined the leak was the result of installation of a new oven in the bakery.
After the gas company deemed the store safe, it was reopened to the public at 2:30 p.m., according to the fire department.
