Late Night Car Accident Causes Fire, Natural Gas Leak and Evacuations | Transportation

A car accident in Mahtomedi caused headache for some residents in the area. A car was traveling Eastbound on 75th St. near the Gateway Trail around midnight Friday morning in Mahtomedi when it crossed the road, went into the ditch and struck a power pole and an above ground gas line. The fire department responded quickly, but the car soon caught fire and they were unable to contain the flames before the gas line caught on fire as well, prompting evacuations.

Firefighters feared a possible explosion at the gas pumphouse, so residents to the West of the accident scene all the way up to Mahtomedi High School were evacuated as a precaution. Xcel Energy was on scene quickly to shut the gas line down allowing Mahtomedi Firefighters to extinguish the fire and allow residents back into their home.

The evacuations lasted for about three hours and crews worked well into the morning hours. It is unclear whether gas service has been restored to the area and it is unclear what caused the crash.