Some residents allowed to return home in Lewistown

LEWISTOWN, Mo. (AP) -- Lewistown residents -- at least some of them -- were going home Wednesday.

The entire northeast Missouri town -- its population estimated at 580 by the U.S. Census in 2005 -- was evacuated Sunday due to a leaking propane tank. Starting Wednesday morning, residents in some parts of town gathered at the Lewis County Fairgrounds. Each resident was to be accompanied by utility workers who were checking each home to make sure it was safe before utilities were turned on again.

"We will do it in an orderly manner," said Rob Power, chief deputy of the Lewis County Sheriff's Department. "We will be thorough and it may take more than a day or two."

A controlled burn that began Monday got rid of most of the remaining propane in the 15,000-gallon Heetco tank that sits in the middle of Lewistown, about 150 miles north of St. Louis.

No one was hurt by the leak. In addition to the evacuation, about 13 miles of Missouri Route 6 were closed. On Tuesday, the evacuation was expanded to include about 50 residents at the Country Aire Estates nursing home near Lewistown. They were taken to other nursing homes.

Most of the evacuated residents stayed with relatives. The Highland High School gym and First Baptist Church in nearby Ewing were opened for evacuees. The Humane Society of Missouri set up shelters for pets that had to be left behind.

Lewistown Heetco General Manager Paul Murfin said frozen ground "heaved up" and damaged a safety valve on the tank, causing the leak.

Some residents said they smelled natural gas as they left town Sunday night. Many had only a few minutes to grab things as they left. The evacuation was ordered because authorities were wary of an explosion.

"There were cars, one after the other, pulling out," resident Cindy Willis said. "For a little town, that's a lot of traffic."

Because power was shut off, residents worried that refrigerated items would be spoiled. Water also has been shut off, and cold temperatures could mean that some residents find frozen or damaged pipes upon their return.

---

Information from: Hannibal Courier-Post, www.hannibal.net.

Information from: Quincy (Ill.) Herald-Whig, www.whig.com.