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Most return to their homes in Alexandria following crash that caused natural gas leak

Adult, child remain hospitalized
Posted at 9:50 PM, Apr 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-08 00:17:55-04
MADISON COUNTY, Ind. -- Most people are back in their homes after a car crashed into a natural gas pipeline in Alexandria Thursday evening, causing a large fire and dozens of evacuations. 
 
According to the Madison County Emergency Management Director, the car struck the gas line and then hit a home near the 1200 block of West Washington Street sometime around 9 p.m.  At one point the flames were shooting 30-40 feet into the air. 

The four people inside the car were all taken to the hospital to be treated for burns and other injuries they received from the crash. Two people have been released from the hospital. The driver and a child remain hospitalized. Their conditions are not known at this time. 

Madison County Sheriff's Deputy Scott Mellinger said they have issued a warrant for the driver.

Any home within a half mile radius of the damaged pipeline was evacuated Thursday evening, but by Friday afternoon almost all but the few homes in the immediate area were cleared by the fire department and the people living there were allowed to return. 

Vectren Gas Company workers said they have begun looking at the damage and are developing a plan for repairs. 

Alexandria Fire Department officials say many people are still experiencing phone and computer problems because of a tower that was also damaged; those problems should be fixed by the weekend.