Major Gas Leak from Sheared Well Head near Steubenville, Ohio

Mandatory evacuations for gas well leak has been lifted – WTOV9 Steubenville

Updated: Wednesday, October 29 2014, 07:26 AM

JEFFERSON COUNTY, OH — The mandatory evacuation in Jefferson County is over at this time. Residents that were forced to leave their home overnight Wednesday due to gas leak along township road 187 can return home. Officials say the well site owned by American energy partners is secured at this time and there is no current danger to the public.

ORIGINAL STORY:

JEFFERSON COUNTY, OH — A gas well leak is causing major evacuations in Jefferson County. Officials say it happened near Fernwood State Park and the Mingo Sportsmen’s Club. The specific location is along Township Road 187 near County Road 26. We’re told the call came in around 7:45pm.

Officials say residents could hear and smell the gas, which we’re told is natural and methane gas. Officials believe that a well head owned by American Energy Partners sheered off. There is no fire but that is a concern. The Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency has issued a 1 mile radius mandatory evacuation.

Officials have opened up the community center in Brilliant for residents if they need a place to stay. Residents will be unable to return to the area until the leak is fixed.
To do that, a specialized group from Houston is being brought in.

Here are the roadways affected by the mandatory evacuation:

Township Rd 177 – Cross Creek
Township Rd 177A – Cross Creek
Browns Hill Rd – Cross Creek
Sheep Rock Rd

Call United Way at 2-1-1 for information. United Way is providing shelter at the Wells Twp. Senior Center, Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department, and Buckeye North Elementary in Brilliant.

See the Video News Report here. And, stick with NEWS9 and WTOV9.com for continuing coverage.

Tagged as: air pollution, drilling, emergency, evacuation, fracking, gas leaks, marcellus shale, OH, Steubenville, well casing, WTOV9