Correction: A Friday story provided incorrect information about the ownership of two Superior companies. Lakehead Blacktop and J. Kimmes Construction are separate companies co-owned by four Kimmes family brothers. The Daily Telegram
apologizes for the error.
Residents of about 20 houses in south Superior were warned not to enter their homes this afternoon after the Fire Department found dangerous levels of hydrogen sulfide in one of the homes.
The emergency is directly related to the industrial accident that took four lives in the same area last week, Mayor Dave Ross said.
The gas appeared to have been pushed into the sewers in the area of Banks Avenue and 63rd Street when a blocked pump was turned back on today at the Lakehead Blacktop and Materials of Superior Inc. Hydrogen sulfide gas, commonly released from sewer products, was measured at 400 parts per million in a house at 6325 Banks Ave. -- twice the amount detected in the pit where four men died last Thursday.
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The pump at Lakehead Blacktop and Materials was turned off immediately after the high levels of gas were detected, and readings for hydrogen sulfide gas were at zero at six manholes in the area by 4:30 p.m., Ross said.
Firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus put notices on the door handles of 20 homes. They read: "Attention: There has been hydrogen sulfide gas detected in your sewer line. Please don't enter your house until it has been checked for the presence of the gas. Please call the Environmental Services Division of Public Works at 394-0392."
Area residents arriving home this afternoon spoke briefly to emergency workers and then drove away.
Lakehead Blacktop is owned by J. Kimmes Construction. Two members of the Kimmes family, Joseph Kimmes III and his brother, Scott Kimmes, both of Superior, died, as did Paul Cossalter of Wrenshall and Harold "Tim" Olsen Jr. of Foxboro.
Hydrogen sulfide gas is poisonous, flammable and colorless and gives off a strong odor of rotten eggs, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
"That smell has been going on and off ... I'd say a month or two," said Barb Miller, who lives in the 6300 block of Banks Avenue. She and her husband have noticed the rotten-egg smell two or three times a week. Until today she thought the smell was coming from the nearby refinery.
A Superior police squad car, a fire truck and a public works crew were called to the Banks Avenue home shortly after 3 p.m. today by workers from Belknap Plumbing and Heating, who responded to a all from a concerned resident.
Among those responding on behalf of the city were Ross and Jeff Vito, director of development and government affairs. Ross said he was happy with the "aggressive response."
