COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The cause of Tuesday night’s large break in a gasoline pipeline in Branch County’s Girard Township remains under investigation.
Branch County Administrator Bud Norman said during a press briefing at the Girard Township Hall on Wednesday afternoon that a British Petroleum 10 inch pipeline which runs from Whiting, Indiana to River Rouge, Michigan experienced a release of gasoline.
The Environmental Protection Agency, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, the Michigan State Police, the Branch County Sheriff’s Department, Emergency Management, and fire assets were at the site on Wednesday.
Branch County Emergency Management Coordinator Tim Miner said residents in six nearby homes were forced to evacuate.
They were all back home by early Wednesday afternoon.
Norman says about 8,400 gallons are believed to have been discharged.
Norman adds as of Wednesday about 3,000 gallons of gasoline had been recovered from inside the pipe.
The cleanup of the site is continuing. B.P. reports the leak has been contained.
A spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Enviroment, Great Lakes and Energy says no drinking water has been affected so far.
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