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Larry MacIntyre
University Communications
lmacinty@indiana.edu
812-856-1172

Jerry Minger
IU Police Department
jminger2indiana.edu
812-855-4296

Last modified: Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Gas line ruptured

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2010

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Today (June 9) at 10:45 a.m. the Indiana University Police Dispatch received a call regarding a ruptured gas line on the north side of the Indiana Memorial Union on Seventh Street. Vectren Gas Co. was contacted prior to IUPD being notified. Seven IUPD officers arrived on the scene with the majority of the units diverting traffic from Seventh and Eighth streets north of the IMU. IU Campus Bus was notified to avoid the area.

A backhoe operated by IU Campus Division was digging in the area to install a new patio east of the stairs leading to the north entrance of the IMU Commons area. The gas line was marked incorrectly and the backhoe ruptured the line. Outside air handlers to the IMU were immediately turned off and the north exterior doors were secured with staff and yellow caution tape.

There was never a threat to persons inside the building, and the IMU did not need to be evacuated. Vectren Gas personnel used instruments to check interior gas levels of the IMU and advised that the gas was safely dissipating. At 11:15 a.m. Vectren told IUPD that the emergency responders could clear from the scene and Vectren would repair the line.