Propane tank leak in Rock County prompts evacuations, road closures

MILTON, Wis. (WTVO) — Emergency crews worked to contain a propane leak from a 60,000 gallon industrial tank as first responders evacuated nearby residents and shut roads in the town of Milton on Monday.

According to Lakeside-Fire Rescue, a 911 call alerted first responders of an LP gas leak at Milton Propane, at 3992 Vincent Street, around 5:19 a.m.

Firefighters arriving on the scene reported seeing a propane vapor cloud being driven south by prevailing winds. Milton Police and the Rock County Sheriff closed the following roads:

* N Cty Tk Y between E High St and E M H Townline
* Vincent between W High St and N Cty Tk Y
* W High St between Vincent St and Elm St
* Elm St between W High St and Capman St
* The Milton Dog Park (Tails N Trails Park)

In addition, the occupants of three homes and three businesses were evacuated for ten hours.

The leak was determined to have sourced from a valve on the propane tank, which then “froze over” due to the temperatures of the leaking gas, officials said, stopping the immediate flow.

Rock County Emergency Management and Rock County Hazardous Materials Response Team then worked to off-load the contents of the tank at 1:53 p.m., concluding at 4:10 p.m.

No one was injured, authorities said.

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