News Summary
A gas leak in northeast Grand Rapids has been contained by DTE Energy after local authorities issued evacuation orders and shelter-in-place directives for nearby businesses and schools. The incident, caused by contractors unintentionally striking a gas line, led to emergency operations in the area. Affected residents were cleared to return, and DTE Energy is conducting door-to-door inspections. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported during this incident.
Grand Rapids – A significant gas leak in northeast Grand Rapids has been contained by crews from DTE Energy. The leak, first reported at approximately 8:20 a.m. on Monday, prompted local authorities to issue evacuation orders and shelter-in-place directives for several nearby businesses and schools.
Firefighters stationed at Plainfield Charter Township Fire Station 3 reported hearing a rupture in a gas line, which led to a quick response from emergency services. Initial investigations suggest that contractors working in the area inadvertently struck the gas line, causing the leak. The Plainfield Township Fire Department is continuing to monitor gas levels in the vicinity to ensure the safety of residents and businesses.
Evacuations were mandated for all establishments within a half-mile radius of the leak. This included the Kent District Library’s Plainfield Township branch. Both Northview High School and North Oakview Elementary School were also affected, with staff and students instructed to shelter in place as a precautionary measure.
The boundaries of the evacuation order encompassed areas along Plainfield Avenue from Airway Street NE to Northville Drive NE, extending east to SawKaw Drive NE and west towards the mall. As a result of this incident, certain sections of road were temporarily closed to facilitate emergency operations, including Plainfield Avenue between Coit and Jupiter avenues and Five Mile Road from Plainfield to East Beltline Avenue.
By 11:04 a.m., Plainfield Avenue was reopened to traffic; however, the service drive adjacent to Fire Station 3 remains closed while safety checks are conducted. DTE Energy is also performing door-to-door gas meter inspections to ensure no gas is trapped inside buildings. Affected residents and business owners have been cleared to return to their premises, but they are advised to contact DTE’s gas leak hotline at 800-947-5000 if they detect any gas odors.
Additionally, law enforcement, including state and Rockford police, aided in managing road closures and maintaining safety in the area. Residents living near the incident site may receive text message updates from the Kent County Emergency Management office regarding the ongoing situation.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported associated with the gas leak, and crews will continue their assessment to ensure the safety of the affected areas. Emergency officials are committed to providing the community with necessary updates and instructions as they work to resolve the incident completely.
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Additional Resources
- WWMT News
- Wikipedia: Gas Leak
- MLive
- Google Search: Gas Leak Kent County
- Fox17 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Natural Gas
- Wood TV
- Google News: Gas Leak Response Plainfield
- WZZM 13
- Google Scholar: Gas Leak Safety Precautions
- WGRD
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
