Steeleville fire calls for the week
The Steeleville Fire Department responded to five calls for service on the week of May 8 to 12. Fire Chief Rich Reitz noted his department officially moved into its new firehouse on May 4.
On May 9, firefighters responded to the report of a natural gas leak on West Broadway and North Cherry streets.
"E.T. Simonds was doing construction and nicked a gas line," Reitz said. "We ended up evacuating two families and controlling the area until they got the gas shut off."
On May 10, firefighters responded to the report of a rollover accident on West Broadway. According to Steeleville Police Chief Tyler Cleland, 17-year-old Zach Wahl, of Ellis Grove, was traveling eastbound on West Broadway when another vehicle entered his lane.
Wahl swerved to avoid the collision, overcorrected and went off the right side of the eastbound lane before the vehicle overturned.
"He had a small laceration on his right arm, but refused medical transport at the scene," Cleland said.
Wahl was cited for having no insurance.
On May 11, Steeleville firefighters responded to another motor vehicle accident on Wine Hill Road and Rockcastle Road involving 24-year-old Jaylen Quarterman, of Carbondale.
Reitz noted Quarterman ran off the road to miss a deer, causing the vehicle to strike a driveway culvert and become airborne before re-entering the roadway.
Firefighters provided medical support and traffic control. The vehicle was towed from the scene due to damage with Quarterman and a passenger, 36-year-old Tarriel Hudson, transported to Memorial Hospital of Chester for treatment.
Finally on May 12, firefighters were called to another gas leak at 609 West Broadway, a minor incident in which only traffic control was needed.
"Both these lines were marked, but they weren't as deep as they should have been," Reitz said.
The Steeleville Fire Department has responded to 159 calls for service, including medical, thus far this year. An official grand opening for the new firehouse has been scheduled for June 24.