Ironwood Memorial Building evacuated for gas leak

By TOM LAVENTURE

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Ironwood — A gas leak resulted in a brief evacuation of the city of Ironwood Memorial Building on Wednesday morning.

When staff arrived to open the building there was a smell of gas, said Karen Gullan, Ironwood city clerk. As a precaution the building was evacuated as staff called Xcel Energy at around 8 a.m., she said.

Gullan said the staff were aware that a previous gas leak incident originated from the American Legion Post 5 room in the building.

“It was the first place we looked,” Gullan said.

The Xcel Energy technicians checked the room and discovered that the four gas pilot lights on a commercial stove were no longer burning. The gas line to the stove was turned off until the stove could be inspected.

Doors in the building were opened to help the gas dissipate, she said. The staff and public were allowed to return to the building at around 8:35 a.m., she said.