Garbage truck hits gas line, prompts evacuation at Southfield senior apartment tower
Residents at a Southfield senior living apartment tower were evacuated Wednesday morning after a garbage truck struck a gas line.
The leak was reported around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, at Highland Towers, 25225 Greenfield Road, according to Southfield Fire Chief Joey Thorington.
Thorington said the truck hit a 3-inch gas main below the shutoff, which prevented crews from immediately shutting off the gas. The garbage company called 911 after the line was struck.
Firefighters evacuated residents as a precaution while crews worked to air out the building. Consumers Energy crews were at the scene making repairs to the gas line.
Residents waited at a safe distance in the parking lot. Southfield Public Schools provided buses so residents could stay cool during the evacuation. Officials said residents were also being taken to the Southfield Pavilion on Evergreen Road.
“Natural gas can be very dangerous when you have an ignition source," said Thorington. "If someone lights a cigarette, turns on a gas stove, turns on a light and there's a spark, it could light the gas."
The Southfield Fire Department will provide further updates when information becomes available.
Crashes involving gas lines and commercial trucks
When a commercial vehicle hits a gas line, the investigation can become legally complicated, and investigators may need evidence from the property owner, waste company, utility and emergency responders.
If the truck was operating for a waste company at the time, employer responsibility and insurance coverage may also be relevant. Important factors may include whether the gas line was properly protected, whether the truck was in an authorized area, whether barriers or warnings were in place and whether anyone had prior notice of a hazard.
If someone was physically injured, the fact that a motor vehicle caused the incident may also matter. Michigan no-fault issues could need review if the injury arose out of the ownership, operation, maintenance or use of the truck as a motor vehicle.
Can residents recover costs after a gas leak evacuation?
Yes, but not always. It depends on whether they suffered a recoverable loss and who caused it.
If the only loss is inconvenience from a brief evacuation without injury or property damage, there may not be a practical legal claim. If someone was hurt, exposed to gas, displaced for a longer period or lost property because of the leak, the claim would depend on fault, causation, damages and available insurance.
Residents should save receipts, photos, medical records, notices from the apartment complex and any messages about the evacuation or repairs. Those records may matter if there are claims involving medical bills, temporary housing, property damage or other documented losses.
Get help from Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center is the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates. Our attorneys help injured people and families across Michigan with personal injury, vehicle crashes, no-fault claims, insurance disputes, serious injury claims and wrongful death cases.
If you or a loved one was injured in a Michigan gas leak, evacuation or vehicle-related incident, call Michigan Legal Center at (248) 886-8650 or contact Michigan Legal Center for a consultation.
There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.
Michigan Legal Center can help you navigate the issues involved in claims such as this with Michigan car accident medical bills and PIP priority and personal injury cases in Michigan.