Plainfield Township, September 18, 2025
News Summary
On September 16, a gas leak in Plainfield Township led to the evacuation of homes and businesses within a half-mile radius. A third-party construction crew accidentally struck a major gas line. Residents were advised to shelter in place, while DTE Energy responded promptly to secure the leak. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident, but it resulted in significant local disruptions, including road closures and emergency alerts before the situation was contained.
Gas Leak in Plainfield Township Prompts Evacuations and Road Closures
A gas leak was reported in Plainfield Township on September 16, 2025, around 8:20 a.m. The incident, which led to the evacuation of homes and businesses within a half-mile radius, was caused by a third-party construction crew that struck a major gas line under a service drive across from 5 Mile Road off Plainfield Avenue. This information was confirmed by DTE Energy.
Plainfield Township Fire Chief Kyle Svoboda announced that the leak was secured and shut off by approximately 11 a.m. In the interim, evacuations were implemented to ensure the safety of residents in the vicinity. Defined evacuation zones included areas stretching from Airway Street to Jupiter Avenue, Jupiter to Northville Drive, Northville to Sawkaw Drive, and Sawkaw back to Airway.
As a precautionary measure, students and staff at Northview High School and North Oakview Elementary sheltered in place during the incident. Chief Svoboda explained that natural gas can be volatile, which justified the evacuations to mitigate the risk of potential explosions. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during this incident.
The gas leak affected local operations, resulting in delays for residents and businesses within the evacuation zone. Many individuals received emergency alerts regarding the situation. The area around the gas leak was closed off, with Plainfield Avenue closed between Coit and Jupiter avenues and Five Mile closed from Plainfield to East Beltline Avenue.
DTE Energy crews arrived on the scene within 30 minutes of the leak being reported. The fire department advised anyone who smelled gas to contact DTE’s 24/7 leak hotline at 800.947.5000 for immediate assistance. Following the incident, affected roads were reopened once Chief Svoboda assured that there was no ongoing risk to public safety. DTE Energy also planned inspections of local businesses to ensure safety and check for any residual gas inside structures near the leak.
Summary of the Incident
- Event: Gas Leak
- Date and Time: September 16, 2025, around 8:20 a.m.
- Location: Plainfield Township
- Cause: Third-party construction crew struck a major gas line
- Evacuation Radius: Half-mile radius around the leak
- Pertinent Areas: Included the Kent District Library’s Plainfield Township branch
- Response Time: DTE Energy crews responded within 30 minutes
- Hazardous Conditions: Potential risk of explosions due to natural gas volatility
- No reported injuries.
Background
Gas leaks can pose serious threats to public safety, often requiring immediate action to prevent danger to life and property. In cases like this, local authorities and utility companies collaborate quickly to mitigate risks and ensure community safety. In this case, prompt action by emergency responders prevented any injuries and safeguarded the community from potential hazards.
FAQ
What caused the gas leak in Plainfield Township?
The leak was caused by a third-party construction crew striking a major gas line, as confirmed by DTE Energy.
What was the evacuation radius due to the gas leak?
Evacuations included homes and businesses within a half-mile radius of the leak.
Were there any injuries reported during the gas leak incident?
No injuries were reported during the incident.
How can residents report gas leaks?
The fire department instructed anyone who smelled gas to call DTE’s 24/7 leak hotline at 800.947.5000 for assistance.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Gas Leak |
| Date of Occurrence | September 16, 2025 |
| Evacuation Radius | Half-mile radius |
| Area Affected | Plainfield Township |
| Response Teams | DTE Energy and Plainfield Township Fire Department |
| Injury Reports | No injuries reported |
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Additional Resources
- WZZM13 News
- Fox17 News
- Wood TV
- MLive News
- WZZM13 Video
- Wikipedia: Gas Leak
- Google Search: Gas Leak Plainfield Township
- Google Scholar: Gas Leak Plainfield Township
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gas Leak
- Google News: Gas Leak Plainfield Township
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