Bartholomew Residents Allowed to Return Home After Gas Leak

Evacuation area narrowed as gas line was secured overnight

Jan. 28, 2026 at 6:15am

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Residents in Bartholomew and Brown Counties were evacuated yesterday afternoon after a large gas line ruptured near the county line. Officials initially evacuated within a 1.5 mile radius, but later narrowed the evacuation area to a 0.5 mile radius around the leak. The gas line was secured overnight, and residents were allowed to return home early this morning.

Why it matters

Gas line leaks can pose serious safety risks to nearby residents, requiring swift action to evacuate the area and secure the line. This incident highlights the importance of emergency response protocols and coordination between local authorities and utility companies to protect public safety.

The details

The gas line rupture occurred late yesterday afternoon near West County Road 170S and Whitehorse Road, close to the Columbus Youth Camp. Officials initially evacuated residents within a 1.5 mile radius in both Bartholomew and Brown Counties, but later narrowed the evacuation area to 0.5 miles north and south of the leak. The Southern Brown County Volunteer Fire Department reported that the leak was caused by a rupture in a 30-inch gas line.

  • The gas line rupture occurred late yesterday afternoon.
  • Officials began evacuating residents within a 1.5 mile radius.
  • The evacuation area was later narrowed to a 0.5 mile radius.
  • The gas line was secured overnight by around 2:25 AM this morning.
  • Residents were allowed to return to their homes early this morning.

The players

Bartholomew County Sheriff's Department

The local law enforcement agency that coordinated the evacuation and response efforts.

Southern Brown County Volunteer Fire Department

The fire department that reported the cause of the gas line rupture as a 30-inch line.

Hope Police Department

The local police department that dispelled unfounded rumors of evacuations in the Hope area.

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What’s next

Officials will likely investigate the cause of the gas line rupture and review emergency response protocols to identify any areas for improvement.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of robust emergency preparedness and coordination between local authorities and utility companies to quickly secure hazardous situations and protect public safety.