Natural gas leak closes HWY 148 in Christopher, IL

Posted: January 27, 2025, 12:12 PM

Updated: January 27, 2025, 10:15 PM

CHRISTOPHER, Ill., (KBSI) — A natural gas leak occurred near the Circle K Gas Station at State Highway 148 and W. Sylvia, with gas projecting upward from a damaged main.

According to Franklin County Emergency Management Agency, the line was secured around 7 pm and the evacuation order lifted. The roadways around the site — including state highway 148 — remain closed at this time.

As of 5 PM Monday, Ameren official Brian Bretsch told FOX23, crews were working to install a bypass to isolate the outage – saying 13 customers would lose natural gas service while crews continued to work on the damaged pipeline.

A third-party contractor working in the area hit the natural gas line causing the leak.

Ameren dispatched natural gas crews to the scene to help safely secure the site and begin making repairs.

A voluntary evacuation advisory was issued for a two-block radius, and residents and travelers were advised to avoid the area.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.