Gas-line rupture on Midlothian Boulevard near I-680 causes brief evacuation

YOUNGSTOWN — A 2 a.m. explosion caused by an underground natural gas line rupture left an 8-foot-deep and 16-foot in diameter crater in the eastbound curb lane of Midlothian Boulevard at the Interstate 680 interchange and caused a voluntary evacuation of several dozen nearby homes.

The evacuees, most having gone to stay with relatives and some having been asked to drive to the Southern Park Mall parking lot and wait there, were told they could return to their homes shortly after Dominion East Ohio Gas shut off the leak at 3:30 a.m. today, said Youngstown Fire Chief John J. O’Neill Jr.

As a safety precaution, firefighters evacuated homes within 500 feet of the rupture on Midlothian Boulevard and Lemoyne Avenue and adjacent streets. There was no fire, and there were no injuries.

O’Neill said he did not know what caused the rupture and that no work was being done at that location when the rupture occurred.

Midlothian Boulevard and I-680 were closed in both directions until 3:30 a.m.

As soon as Dominion repaired the gas line, ODOT crews began repairing the road.

Youngstown firefighters and police were assisted by Boardman police and firefighters, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and ODOT.

As of 8:05 a.m., Midlothian Boulevard was open westbound, but still closed eastbound, and the exit ramp from I-680 southbound to eastbound Midlothian Boulevard was still closed, ODOT said.