Gas Line Rupture Impacts Tulsa Businesses, Neighborhoods

A gas line explosion in midtown Tulsa is impacting area businesses and neighborhoods near 21st and Memorial.

Thursday, January 31st 2019, 6:28 pm

By: Amy Slanchik

Gas Line Rupture Impacts Tulsa Businesses, Neighborhoods

A gas line explosion in midtown Tulsa is impacting area businesses and neighborhoods near 21st and Memorial. Many homes don't have power, and several businesses have been evacuated.

You could hear the sound of the gas escaping from the 16-inch ruptured line - it sounded like a plane going overhead. Tulsa Police said around 67,000 people in the area are without natural gas.

A QuikTrip, Sonic, a loan company and a tattoo business are just a few of the businesses affected. The Red Cross helped first responders as they started to evacuated a nearby nursing home.

The gas line rupture was capped around 8 p.m., according to police.

Oklahoma Natural Gas issued the following statement:

We are cooperating with first responders and local authorities on the situation near 21^st and Memorial. Our operations crews are working to safely assess the situation and we will provide you more information as it becomes available. You can also check our social media pages for updates as well.

Tulsa Public Schools confirmed Nathan Hale High School was evacuated because of the leak, and all evening activities at the school were canceled. That included a wrestling match and FAFSA workshop.

Gas Line Explosion Causes Evacuations At 21st & Memorial In Tulsa

We watched as Tulsa Public Schools buses dropped off students at their parents' cars.

"This is a huge gas leak. I didn't hear anything or smell anything," one parent said.

Amy Slanchik

Amy Slanchik is passionate about storytelling. She joined the News On 6 team in May of 2016 after spending almost two years in Fort Smith, Ark. She is a proud University of Oklahoma graduate.

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