Gas leak at factory leads to evacuations in Gnadenhutten

May 03, 2023

GNADENHUTTEN ‒ Several houses and a softball field were evacuated Tuesday after a gas leak was reported at Progressive Foam, 1 Southern Gateway St., Gnadenhutten.

No one was injured in the incident.

According to a news release from the Arrowhead Joint Fire District in Gnadenhutten, the department was called to Progressive Foam at 6:13 p.m.

When firefighters arrived, they met with plant employees who had taken immediate action to control the leak, including shutting down the gas supply to the plant, eliminating ignition sources and contacting Columbia Gas.

Firefighters checked the building with their gas meters and found measurable amounts of gas inside the plant. Gnadenhutten police and firefighters evacuated houses and a softball field immediately adjacent to the plant out of caution.

Firefighters then assisted plant employees with ventilating the structure. Arrowhead EMTs stood by in case any injuries occurred. Once no detectable gas was found in or around the plant by fire department gas meters, residents were permitted to return to their homes.

The cause of the leak is under investigation by plant management.