Car crash causes gas leak at health care facility in Ypsilanti
A health center had to move patients and staff to safety Wednesday after a vehicle struck the building's gas pipes.
Chelsea Hoedl | AnnArbor.com
A traffic accident caused a gas leak Tuesday afternoon outside Bortz Health Care Facilities, at 28 S. Prospect St., in Ypsilanti, according to fire officials.
Patients and staff inside the the facility were forced to move to safe areas of the building after a Lexus was involved in a crash and spiraled out of control into the buildings gas pipes, said Ypsilanti Fire Department Lt. Michael Kouba.
“We heard a noise and ran outside," said Kevin Beardsley, the building's administrator. "We saw a car had crash into the side of the building and immediately began evacuating patients and staff to the north end of the building."
The Lexus and another vehicle were involved in the accident on Prospect around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Officials continue to investigate the exact nature of the incident.
DTE Energy was on scene within 20 minutes and had the gas to the building shut off, Kouba said. The Lexus was towed, and the female driver was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
This story will be updated.
Chelsea Hoedl is an intern reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at choedl@mlive.com.
Comments
Nicholas Urfe
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 12:39 p.m.
Who does their Risk Management and insurance? Gas pipes must typically be protected by steel and concrete barriers if they are anywhere near cars. If the photo is any indication, their location next to a parking lot puts them at extreme risk .
Dirty Mouth
Wed, Jun 12, 2013 : 1:31 a.m.
huh, oops.
dading dont delete me bro
Tue, Jun 11, 2013 : 10:27 p.m.
sure smelled like a fire around there too.