Emergency crews in Velma respond to gas leak

Emergency crews are working to stop a gas leak at a well near Velma that forced an evacuation overnight.

State Highway 7 to School Road was closed after the explosion around 2:40 a.m. released hydrogen sulfide in the air and caused authorities to evacuate a four-mile radius, according to The Duncan Banner newspaper.

Authorities from the EPA, Velma Fire Department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Stephens County Sheriff’s Office responded, according to the newspaper.

“As of right now, we have the flow shut off,” said Jay Dumas, chief of the Velma Fire Department.

Crews are pumping water down the hole, and may wrap up in the next hour or so, he said.