FIBER INSTALLERS HIT TWO LINES FRIDAY
Contractors installing fiber lines in Platte City hit two natural gas lines on Friday morning, Aug. 29, resulting in a busy morning for first responders and Platte County R-3 School District officials.
Some school buildings and also some nearby residences were evacuated by emergency departments that included the Central Platte Fire Department, Platte City Police Department, Platte County Sheriff’s Department and Northland Regional Ambulance District.
Word of the first gas line break came in around 9 a.m. Contractors boring under ground struck a gas line in the 700 block of Thomas Drive.
A precautionary measure of evacuating students and staff from the nearby Siegrist Elementary School was taken by Central Platte Fire. Siegrist students and staff were first planned to relocate to Platte County High School, but when PCHS was later asked to evacuate, they were instead moved to Platte City Middle School.
Later in the incident, all high school kids and staff were moved from the north parking lot to the MFA parking lot across Hwy. 92 from the high school, then eventually were transported to the YMCA in Platte City via school bus.
At about the same time, contractors hit another gas line on Bent Oak Court.
“We had to call West Platte Fire for mutual aid for that call as we were tied up on the original leak,” said Kent Pine, deputy chief of Central Platte Fire Department.
Pine said fire department personnel entered both Siegrist Elementary and the high school wearing self-contained breathing apparatus and took readings with a gas detector.
“The high school never had gas enter the building, but we thought it necessary to evacuate with the gas traveling through the ground and eventually into a sewer main,” Pine explained.
“While we did have (natural gas) readings in Siegrist, fire department personnel also ventilated the building,” Pine added.
Platte County R-3 officials said later Friday that due to logistics in providing lunch for nearly 1,400 students off-site, district leaders made the decision to dismiss PCHS early. Buses began leaving from the YMCA at 11:45 a.m. and parents were directed to begin pickup there.
“We apologize to PCHS families who experienced delays during this process, and we appreciate your patience as we worked through an unusual situation,” school officials said.
PCHS students and staff were later allowed back into the PCHS parking lots to retrieve vehicles, and shortly after, the building opened to allow belongings to be collected. PCHS remained open until 4 p.m. that day to retrieve belongings.
“After spending the morning and having lunch at Platte City Middle School, Siegrist Elementary students and staff returned to their building once the fire department inspected and confirmed the building was safe,” school officials said in an email later Friday.
It all resulted in an extremely busy day for the Central Platte Fire Department and related agencies.
“It was an all hands on deck call and it was as smooth as could be,” Pine said. “We here at Central Platte are very grateful for everyone who helped on a moment’s notice.”
Pine also praised the folks at the natural gas company, Liberty Utilities.
“Huge shoutout to Liberty Utilities for their unwavering commitment to their job,” Pine stated.
PLATTE CITY SPECIAL
ROAD DISTRICT
SUSPENDS PERMITS
After Friday morning’s events, the Platte City Special Road District issued notice that all right of way permits issued to United Fiber or United Fiber subcontractors are suspended till further notice.
“This action is taken to ensure the health, safety and general welfare of the public residing in the Platte City Special Road District,” said Frank Offutt, district administrator.
“Based on the events in the prior 72 hours, related directly or indirectly to United efforts to place infrastructure in right of way, it is prudent to stand down all construction activities pending a review of best construction practices,” Offutt said.
It should be noted Friday morning’s gas line breaks were in City of Platte City right of way, not Platte City Special Road District right of way.
“The Platte City Special Road District is attempting to prevent the incidents that occurred last week in the city,” Offutt told The Landmark on Monday.
Offutt said representatives from involved parties have been invited to meet with Utilisource on Thursday, Sept. 4 at City Hall in Platte City. Utilisource provides private underground utility locating services for contractors and other professionals to accurately map and identify utilities before excavation projects.
The City of Platte City, however, has not revoked any permits.
“We have not revoked any right of way permits but we have asked them to halt their operations until after the meeting on Thursday. Prior to Friday, the only problem we have had (with the fiber installation) is a water line that they hit three weeks ago, but that was due to an incorrect marking by (a utility location company),” Bryan Richison, city administrator, told The Landmark on Tuesday.
Richison said it is not yet known whether last Friday’s situation was a contractor error or another incorrect marking.
“We may know more on that after Thursday’s meeting,” he said.
