SAXON, WI— Residents were evacuated and power was shut off in the Iron County, Wisconsin town of Saxon Tuesday, following a pipeline gas leak.
Around 10 a.m., a parked, unoccupied semi-truck rolled into an open excavation site associated with a Line 5 valve project near Sitan Road. The truck struck the pipeline, which resulted in the release of natural gas liquids.
As a precaution, nearby homes were evacuated. Sitan Road was closed to allow emergency crews to get to the site, a temporary no-fly zone was established, and power in the area was shut down. The affected section of pipeline was isolated and hazmat teams responded.
The public is asked to avoid the area and follow instructions from emergency personnel.
NGLs are hydrocarbons—including ethane, propane, butane, isobutane, and natural gasoline—that are separated from natural gas during processing. They are used as fuels and as feedstocks in the production of products such as plastics, medical supplies, electronics, clothing, and fertilizers.
