Horton Headlight – August 29, 2013
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – September 10, 2013
Two Kansas Gas Service Co. employees escaped possible serious injuries in Horton on Friday afternoon, August 23, in a mishap which occurred while they were performing routine maintenance.
A small quantity of liquid chlorine gas leaked at the site, in the central west portion of the community, according to Chief of Police Beau Hasenohr.
The fire department and Emergency Medical Service ambulance crews responded to the scene of the 1:30 p.m. incident. They reportedly checked the two gas company employees for possible inhalation of fumes, and used a quantity of water to wash any of the liquid residue from their clothing.
The chief advised The Headlight that residents of eight to ten nearby homes were notified of the incident, and advised to shut windows and stay inside until the fumes subsided. “There was a wind blowing, and these homes were located in the area north of the scene, which was on 4th, between 14th and 13th.
No one was evacuated, he added.
Hasenohr said he and Brown County Emergency Management director Randy Link went to the scene. He said Link notified the state emergency management department of the situation, and a haz-mat (Hazardous materials) team from Olathe responded to the location. The team performed a clean-up on the immediate area, including removal of the top layer of dirt, the chief said.
The chief advised the utility workers were working on a pole, containing a reservoir with the liquid chlorine. “When they cut into the device, some of the gas squirted out.
“The gas is used to help prevent the steel line from corroding,” he said he was informed.
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