Columbiana County residents evacuated after gas line explosion

HANOVERTON

Residents in a one-mile area of Bethesda and McKaig roads were evacuated for about an hour and a half Thursday night in the wake of a natural gas explosion around 10:30 p.m.

The Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency reported that the source of the explosion was a Tennessee Gas pipeline in the vicinity.

A number of fire departments throughout the county were mobilized, and Hanover Township Fire Department began the initial evacuation of residents. Franklin Township Fire Station and Hanoverton Ruritan facilities were opened as temporary shelters.

The emergency management agency opened at 11 p.m., and county commissioners and representatives of the county Red Cross and the Amateur Radio Service also responded, the EMA said in press release.

The gas lines were shut down from the north and south of the area, and by 11:41 pm., the scene was contained and all roads except McKaig were being opened.

A few minutes later one official said crews were handling several brush fires still remaining.

Residents were given the OK to return home at 12:12 p.m. after the official was told by Tennessee Gas Pipeline that the gas lines were contained and people could return home.

Ohio Edison crews were entering the area to assess line damages.