Latest news, weather, high school sports for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

BESSEMER -- A natural gas line rupture in Bessemer Township has left some residents unable to return to their homes and still more without gas as of Tuesday night.  The 16-inch main ruptured around 11:30 a.m. and personnel have spent all day trying to get it fixed.

At first, many residents thought it was just a low-flying airplane, but as it turns out, it was the sound of natural gas pouring into the air from a ruptured main.  Emergency personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene, which was cordoned off to the public due to the danger involved.

"The concern is, of course, explosion," said James Loeper, emergency management coordinator for Gogebic County. "The gas is shooting up in the air."

When the scope of the problem was realized, some residents were also evacuated.

"As a precautionary measure, we have evacuated a half-mile radius," Loeper said.

The evacuees have been directed to report to the courthouse where the Red Cross is on hand to assist.

At this time, crews are on-site trying to get the main shut off, however, the cause of the rupture still hasn't been determined for sure.  It's thought that harsh weather earlier in the year may have been a factor.

"According to the gas company, it could be because of the frost issue, something broke loose," Loeper said.

In addition, 219 residents have had their gas shut off until further notice.

The FAA has also issued a warning to aircraft not to fly within 1,000 feet of the site.

No one has been injured in the incident and emergency personnel and gas companies will continue to work on the problem until it is fixed.  Officials estimate that it could take one to two days to get the line fixed.  They don't yet know when it will be safe for evacuees to return to their homes or when gas will be restored to those that have been affected.