A gas line explosion in Dell Rapids Tuesday afternoon closed streets and forced emergency personnel to evacuate homes in the area.

A private contractor for Golden West Communications hit a gas line near St. Mary's Catholic School. A Dell Rapids man had the misfortune of having his vehicle stall right on top of the gas leak. When he tried to restart his vehicle, the spark set off an explosion. The man was able to escape through a five foot fire wall with only minor burns.

Many roads in the area had to be closed for over five hours as emergency personnel managed the fire until Mid America Energy was able to shut off the line.

Thirty foot flames shot from the broken line for nearly four hours while crews battled the fire.

 

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