Ice hits 2 Madras area gas meters, causing leaks

The Madras area had two instances in two days where falling ice hit natural gas meters and caused a leak, Jefferson County Fire District No. 1 officials said Friday.

The first occurred around 10:35 a.m. on Thursday and prompted temporary closure of a stretch of Mill Street, north of Madras, fire district Captain Kasey Skaar said. In that case, a meter was hit by falling ice at a commercial building.

Then, around 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, the intersection of Southwest K and Second streets in Madras was temporarily closed when ice fell from a home’s roof and struck a gas meters.

In both cases, Skaar said fire crews were able to isolate the areas and shut off the flow of gas at the meter valve.

“Cascade Natural Gas has been quick to respond, assist on scene and make repairs,” Skaar said in a news release.

Mutual-aid assistance also was provided by Jefferson County EMS and law enforcement. No injuries were reported.

The fire captain also noted that crews, like other area drivers, “have been battling snowy conditions and freezing weather that has hampered response.”

“Now, the thaw may provide a new set of challenges,” Skaar said. “The snow and ice thaw in the Madras area appears to be causing damage to outside fixtures, HVAC units and gas meters.”