BEATRICE – A natural gas leak forced closure of an intersection early Saturday in a southeast Nebraska City.


Beatrice Fire and Rescue and Beatrice Police were sent to the Indian Creek Mall area, where a gas leak was reported off the southwest corner of U.S. Highway 77 and Industrial Row. Beatrice Police Officer Joe McCormick says a perimeter was set up around the area to keep traffic away from what was expected to be a lengthy repair process.


"We know that there is about a pencil-hole sized leak near a valve. It requires a special welder and he's in Lexington. The special equipment is in Lincoln, so it would be best to keep the area clear all day. They said it would be an all day, and possibly into the night project."


Emergency personnel were dispatched to the area at 3:26 a.m., Saturday The person reporting the leak could see gas escaping from part of the asphalt parking lot east of the Harbor Freight Tools Store.


A strong odor of the chemical in the gas could still be detected past 8 a.m., as Black Hills Energy Crew members were on scene to make repairs.
Industrial Row was closed to traffic for about a block west of the intersection and the right-hand south-bound lane of U.S. 77 was also barricaded. Motorists were able to bypass the area by using private mall property to the south and north of the area.


"They said the gas pipeline is maintaining safe pressure. The restaurants can still keep operating, and with the wind direction and speed, it's keeping it safe for the businesses in the surrounding area to stay open," McCormick said.


Police expected to be at the scene most of Saturday morning and barricades were staying in place until the problem can be solved. Black Hills crews were using a backhoe and cutting machine to break through the parking lot surface and make the repairs. There apparently was no gas concentration inside any businesses near the scene.