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Gas line explosion in Middleton prompts evacuations, injures one

One person was injured and people within a four-mile radius were asked to evacuate following a gas line explosion in Middleton Thursday morning.

MIDDLETON, Idaho — A gas line explosion near the intersection of Purple Sage Road and Duff Lane in Middleton prompted evacuations Thursday morning. 

The explosion occurred after a worker driving an excavator dug through a 22-inch natural gas transmission line. The man was taken to a local hospital with "minor injuries" from the incident, a spokesperson with the Middleton Star Fire District said. 

Following the incident, the Canyon County Sheriff's Office began evacuating anyone within a four-mile radius of the intersection of Purple Sage Road and Duff Lane. The evacuation notice was lifted around 11:40 a.m. Thursday.

Residents within the designated area were then asked to shelter in place as Williams Pipeline worked on "locking out and tagging out the valves on both end," officials said. 

The sheriff's office said as of 2:10 p.m. Thursday, all evacuation and shelter in place orders have been lifted and it is safe to return to the area. Students in the Middleton School District have returned to normal operations.

According to Williams Pipeline, the gas transmission line was pushing roughly 750 pounds per-square inch of pressure. 

"The explosion was felt and the gas flow could be felt about a mile away. It was a pretty substantial explosion just due to the pressure in that line," Middleton Star Fire District Battalion Chief David Jones said. 

Jones added there should not be an interruption for local gas as a result of the explosion. 

Watch Thursday's media briefing on YouTube:

"Thanks to all the neighboring law enforcement and fire agencies for their assistance today," Canyon County officials wrote on social media. "And special thanks to everyone for their cooperation and patience during this incident."

Highway 44 was closed west of Star for more than two hours following the incident. The Ada County Sheriff's Office said the highway has since reopened.

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