SAXON, Wis. — A family remains displaced after a truck rolled into an open excavation site and ruptured Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline in Iron County on Tuesday afternoon, releasing natural gas liquids.
Power outages and road closures tied to the incident were still affecting the area on Wednesday.
Enbridge officials said an unoccupied, parked semi-truck rolled into an open excavation site along the Line 5 project Tuesday morning, striking the pipeline and rupturing a valve.
Wednesday afternoon, Enbridge officials said they are working with emergency response teams. Officials emphasized that natural gas liquids were released, not natural gas. Line 5 is shut down as the response continues.
Iron County Sheriff Paul Samardich said law enforcement does not believe there is any immediate danger to the community.
“I dont think so, air quality is continuing to be monitored by our hazmat teams on site, thats the ongoing thing,” Samardich said.
Crews continue working to stabilize the area. Samardich said some residents remain impacted by a power shut-off, a safety precaution that could last another 24 hours.
“The latest estimations are there are about 60 people affected. It effects some parts of Saxon Harbor. And Andrich has set up an 800 line for people to call for assistance if there are any challenges they are having,” Samardich said.
Samardich said there have been no reported inquiries so far. Law enforcement and hazmat crews are asking for respect and patience while they work.
“That teams are on site since it was reported, they will continue to be on site, they will continue to monitor air quality and we are asking that people stay away from the site due to safety reasons, so our people can do what they do,” Samardich said.
Northern News Now will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
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