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Columbia Gas stops services in Elyria impacting 2,100 customers, Elyria Schools closed Friday

A shelter has been opened at Eastern Heights Middle School by the city of Elyria, the Red Cross, and Lorain County Emergency Management.

ELYRIA, Ohio -- 2,100 customers are without gas as of Thursday evening in Elyria after air was discovered in a gas line during routine maintenance by Columbia Gas.

The shut off is impacting customers in the Eastern Heights Blvd., and Concord Avenue areas, according to their website. The affected areas are highlighted below on the map.

Credit: City of Elyria

"Columbia Gas has over 240 personnel working to repair and restore service to effected customers," the company said in a statement at noon Friday. "Crews began purging air from the lines starting from Broad Street and Longson Avenue this morning and were moving west from there. People outdoors may smell the odor of natural gas while lines are being purged -- this is normal. After sections are purged, crews reintroduce gas into the system and return to each customer to restore service."

The City of Elyria worked with Lorain County Emergency Management and the Red Cross to open an emergency shelter at Eastern Heights Middle School on Garford Ave. for residents who need alternative housing.

Those who need assistance or transportation to the shelter should call 440-284-0357.

According to Columbia Gas, customers in the impacted area who need alternative housing other than the East Park Recreation Center can email ohlodging@nisource.com or call 1-800-272-5440.

Elyria City Schools have announced that they are closed on Friday.

Columbia Gas says their crews are reviewing and working to restore the system and service will be restored as soon as possible. Crews must first shut off gas to every customer in the affected area, make any necessary repairs and then visit each customer inside their home to perform a safety inspection and relight appliances.

He says the compromised gas line could have potentially been a danger to residents.

“You know you run the risk of carbon monoxide fire and things like that,” said Bill Loomer with Columbia Gas. “That’s why we worked really hard to shut it off as fast as we could.”

Columbia Gas crews from other locations around the state are arriving in the area to assist with the restoration of service.

If impacted customers are planning to leave their homes, please leave contact information on your door or with a neighbor so that crews can gain access to the home to reestablish service. Columbia Gas employees and contractors carry photo IDs and will be happy to show them on request.

Customers that have special needs or medical concerns should contact Columbia Gas at 1-800-344-4077.

The company reassures that customers are safe and that if anyone smells gas they should get to a safe place and call 911 and Columbia Gas at 1-800-344-4077.

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