Frankenmuth Fire handles gas main leaks, rekindled brush fire

   Natural gas leaks and an unattended brush fire were part of the Frankenmuth Fire Department’s responses last week.

  The FFD responded to a natural gas leak in the 8800 block of Junction Road shortly before 1:24pm Tuesday, June 12. The watermain construction crew uncovered a residential gas service that was leaking.

  FFD Chief Phil Kerns said Junction Road, between Beyer and Weiss roads, was closed for 35 minutes until Consumers Energy gas crews arrived and temporarily stopped the leak until it could be permanently repaired.

  Engine 1 and Brush 7 responded with seven personnel; a total of 11 arrived at the station. They cleared shortly after 2pm.

  Shortly before 11:30pm on June 12, an alert motorist reported a large brush pile fire on Beyer Road, just north of East Curtis Road.

  FFD Lt. Adam Weiss said it appeared that the brush pile from the weekend had re-ignited and was freely burning. Engine 1 and Brush 7 responded with eight personnel. Brush 7 pumped out over 200 gallons of water to thoroughly extinguish the burning pile. A total of 15 firefighters traveled to the station.

  Kerns said the FFD typically does not permit night time open burning.

  On Friday, June 15 at 2:30pm, the local firefighters were summoned to the 500 block of West Genesee Street for a gas meter that had been struck by a vehicle.

  Weiss said a family member of the homeowner had been backing out of the driveway and struck the meter on the side of the home. West Genesee, between Beyerlein and Churchgrove, was closed due to the west, southwest wind direction and concentrated smell of the escaping gas.

  𠇊lthough a Consumers gas service crew was quickly on the scene, high levels of natural gas forced them to call an electrical crew to disconnect the home’s electricity and another gas crew was summoned because the gas line had broken in two locations, making it difficult to temporarily shut off the natural gas flow,” Kerns explained.

  After nearly two hours of closing the street and limiting access to nearby homes and commercial buildings, the line was shut off and repaired.

  Engine 1 and Squad 4 responded with four personnel, assisted by the Frankenmuth Police Department. All units cleared by 4:30pm. A total of 15 firefighters reported to the station.