Lewistown residents still evacuated after propane scare

LEWISTOWN, Mo. (AP) -- This northeast Missouri town remained virtually empty again Tuesday, two days after a leaking propane tank forced a mandatory evacuation of the entire community.

Emergency management officials said it was still unclear when more than 500 evacuated residents will be able to return home.

A special response team was conducting a controlled burn of the remaining propane in a 15,000-gallon Heetco tank in the center of Lewistown, about 150 miles northwest of St. Louis. The burn began Monday afternoon, was stopped for the night, and resumed Tuesday, authorities said.

It wasn't known how long it would take to burn the remaining propane. Officials also were not sure when the air quality would improve enough for residents to return.

Emergency workers determined there was no danger to a nearby tank containing 18,000 gallons of propane, said Lewis County director of emergency management David Keith.

No one was hurt by the leak. In addition to the evacuation, about 13 miles of Missouri Route 6 were closed.

Most of the evacuated residents stayed with relatives. The Highland High School gym and First Baptist Church in nearby Ewing were opened for evacuees. A few families have spent the nights at the church, including nine members of the Brumbaugh family.

"I think we are getting all the help we can get right now," Bobby Brumbaugh said. "It's comfortable here -- like being home, really. And we are getting to know our neighbors."

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Information from:

Hannibal Courier-Post, www.hannibal.net.

Quincy Herald-Whig, www.whig.com/