Gas leak closes Coldwater polls Tuesday morning

2022-08-12 22:02:05 By : Mr. Sky huang

Fifteen minutes after polls opened for the city of Coldwater Tuesday, Dearth Community Center was evacuated due to a gas leak. 

At 7:15 a.m., voters and poll workers left the center at the fairgrounds, which houses all four city precincts. Coldwater Fire department responded and cleared the building after it determined a pilot light in the center kitchen had gone out, and the safety valve had not closed. 

Michigan Gas Company technicians cut the building's gas service, allowing everyone to return. 

Clerk Susan Heath said election operations returned to normal at 7:35 a.m.    

Deputy city clerk Shauna Chavez said the center was used for a wedding Sunday. She thought there was a musty smell Monday during election set-up.

An election inspector smelled a strong gas odor as the facility opened Tuesday. Chavez called Coldwater Fire to check. 

Two voters were allowed to finish casting ballots. Then the machines were locked down and secured. Heath gave thanks to the swift response by Coldwater Fire Department and Michigan Gas.

A check with the county clerk and state elections officials determined polls could close at the scheduled 8 p.m. and did not need to extend poll hours for the missing 20 minutes. 

"I hope those who could not vote return to cast their ballots, Heath said.

Otherwise, the election went smoothly the rest of the morning. 

"I'm glad I didn't go out with a bang," Heath joked. She is retiring at the end of the year.