Executive Summary
- A shelter-in-place order was issued in Drexel, North Carolina, on Thursday afternoon following a natural gas leak from a ruptured line.
- The order, affecting a quarter-mile radius, was lifted in approximately 90 minutes after officials confirmed the gas supply had been shut off.
- Residents were advised to remain indoors with windows closed and HVAC systems off to mitigate any risk of ignition.
- The cause of the gas line rupture remains under investigation, and no further details have been released by officials.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for residents in the town of Drexel, North Carolina, on Thursday afternoon following a natural gas leak from a ruptured line. The order, which affected a quarter-mile radius near downtown, was lifted after approximately 90 minutes once the gas supply was shut off, according to officials.
The alert was issued at approximately 1:55 p.m. for the area surrounding Reed Street. Authorities instructed residents to remain indoors, close all windows and doors, and turn off their HVAC systems. They were also advised to avoid any activities that could create a spark, such as using lighters or electrical switches.
By 3:20 p.m., officials confirmed that the gas line had been secured and the shelter-in-place order was no longer in effect. The town of Drexel, located in Burke County, has a population of approximately 1,800 residents.
The cause of the gas line rupture has not been determined, and no additional information was immediately made available by authorities.