Hazel Park Gas Leaked Capped After Local Residents Forced To Evacuate

HAZEL PARK (WWJ) - A contractor drilling holes in the ground may have led to a gas leak in Hazel Park forcing several residents to leave their homes.

The leak, near I-75 and Woodward Heights / 9 Mile, led to the closure of a church and forced four homeowners to evacuate the area.  Hazel Park firefighters are still monitoring; but, by Monday afternoon, it appeared that the leak had been capped.

Fire Chief Richard Story said crews have filled a hole with about 80 feet of concrete.

Astile Stevenson was among residents being who spent Sunday night elsewhere.

"Stayed at my daughter's last night," said Stevenson. "The other folks across the street ...there — their daughter's with their dogs. It's just scary, when it hits home."

Chuck Simon, who lives in the area, says it's a concern. "Oh yeah, I mean, methane gas you could have an explosion ... a spark, somebody throws a cigarette out of their car - something. You know, it could go up like crazy."

Fire officials said testing would determine what type of gas was escaping. Methane gas is a naturally occurring gas; there's no smell but it is highly explosive.