Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Runaway tires cause gas leak

A couple of runaway spare tires from a semi-tractor trailer rig flew off about 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, near the intersection of Highways 67 and 53, at 805 N. Elm Street, Gurdon, and created a large hole in the house.

The mishap created a hole of approximately three-feet in diameter and knocked loose a natural gas line. Gurdon Fire Chief Jake McBride was called to the scene, as were members of the police department. Police blocked traffic for more than an hour, waiting on CenterPoint Energy-Arkla Gas company to come and shut off a main line.

Chief McBride had fire and police equipment moved to the other side of Highway 53, as the gas fumes were blowing directly across Highway 67 in front of the house.

"Whatever you do, don't anybody light a cigarette," McBride said. "This thing could explode, so don't anyone get too close."

Mike McKenzie, owner of the house, said he had the property rented but nobody was home when the mishap occurred.

"I just bought this house from my brother last week, so I guess we can start some repairs over," he said.

Nobody was reported present to be injured from the gas leak or structural damage, and McBride did not say the name of the truck driver.

"We are just glad this did not turn into something a lot worse," the fire chief said.