At about noon May 15, Brandon Firefighters responded to a natural gas line rupture just off Oakwood Road about one-half mile east of Hadley Road. Workers from Allendale, Michigan-based West Shore Services were installing a tornado warning pole when the 24-inch auger they were using to drill the hole apparently damaged a four-inch natural gas line about six feet underground that paralleled Oakwood Road. Allegedly the underground gas line had been marked by Miss Dig prior to the drilling.
The windows at Oakwood Elementary School, located several hundred yards from the leak, were closed until the line was repaired. The students were released on time. Brandon Fire Chief Dave Kwapis said a light west wind did not put the school at risk. There were no injuries reported.