Hilbert chief upset over gas leak

Posted at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15, 2021

This is a news brief. The complete story will appear in the September 23 print edition of THE BRILLION NEWS

The Brillion News

HILBERT - A contractor tearing down the old Bel Brands cold store warehouse across Chestnut Street from Hilbert Civic Park accidentally severed a buried natural gas line running from the street to the building.

It happened prior to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14.

Several nearby homes were evacuated.

Hilbert Fire Chief Mike Loose did not like how it was handled. The contractor notified Wisconsin Public Service but did not call 911 until after WPS crews were on site 15 minutes later.

Loose said the fire department should have been notified immediately, with a call from the scene to the Calumet County Sheriff's Office dispatch center.

Hilbert firefighters not only evacuated nearby homes, but also blocked streets in the area