A broken gas line caused a brief evacuation of three Poplar Bluff businesses in the Eight Points Shopping Center around 9:25 a.m. Monday.
According to reports from the Poplar Bluff Fire Department, city firefighters responded to a call for a gas leak at 3025 Oak Grove Road. Upon arrival, they reported a smell of gas in the air and stated a heavy equipment operator told crews he had hit a gas line. He directed crews to the location of the busted pipe behind the building.
Firefighters immediately evacuated Walmart Neighborhood Market, Shoe Carnival and Ross Dress for Less while waiting for the gas company to arrive. Once on the scene, gas company officials located the main valve and shut off the gas.
After allowing adequate time for the facilities to ventilate, firefighters performed air monitoring tests in the three retail stores. Once the meter did not detect any traces of gas, the businesses reopened. It is estimated evacuations lasted less than 30 minutes. No injuries were reported.