Compressor Station Fire Spurs Evacuations
/From Van Buren County Democrat
A compressor caught fire Monday afternoon at a natural gas well site on Oakland Road.
The fire, at a BHP Billiton site, began after a compression station engine exploded. The fire lasted for about an hour before BHP employees arrived to shut off a feeder line.
About 35 to 40 people in 20 or more homes were evacuated during the event. They were allowed to return home within about 90 minutes, according to Van Buren County Office of Emergency coordinator Jeana Williams.
Sheriff Scott Bradley said the homes were evacuated due to concerns about the dangers from a gas fire.