Gas leak causes concern of explosion

The Flathead Electric Cooperative, Northwestern Energy, and Kalispell Fire Department responded to Fifth Avenue East Tuesday afternoon where fumes from a ruptured gas line collected in an electrical transformer, creating a risk for an explosion.

"The slightest spark would have caused a huge explosion," said Flathead Electric Cooperative spokeswoman Wendy Ostrom-Price.

Construction workers at the old Kalispell Hospital site accidentally ruptured the gas line while cutting concrete. The dense fumes accumulated in a nearby electrical transformer, preventing crews from shutting down power at the site. Crews were forced to de-energize the entire Green Acres substation, which caused approximately 1,300 people to lose power for about seven minutes.

In addition, a building near the leak was evacuated and area residents lost gas service until the leak could be repaired.