A minor gas leak was reported in Sioux Center on Tuesday afternoon after a contractor struck an underground gas line during excavation work.
Fire and ambulance crews were paged at approximately 1:17 p.m. to the Highland Hills area, where a general contractor accidentally hit an underground gas line while working in an undeveloped portion of the subdivision.
Assistant Fire Chief Carl Vande Kamp says the contractor struck an approximately two-inch gas line, resulting in a gas release. Fire crews remained on scene for about 45 minutes, providing safety support while city crews worked to repair the line.
No evacuations were ordered, and no road closures were necessary. Vande Kamp says the incident occurred far enough from nearby homes that crews only restricted access to the immediate area.
According to Sioux Center Utilities Manager Murray Hulstein, the contractor was working to install sewer infrastructure in an undeveloped area of the Highland Hills subdivision and had contacted Iowa One Call at the beginning of the project.
Fire crews cleared the scene once the gas line was patched. City officials continue to remind the public to call Iowa One Call before digging to help prevent utility strikes.
