Backhoe likely culprit in rupture of gas line

A natural-gas line ruptured Wednesday morning near 10th and Kentucky streets, apparently after being struck by a backhoe, a spokesman with the city’s natural gas provider said.

The line broke about 10:16 a.m., said Mark Bradford, deputy chief of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical. Emergency personnel, pictured above, stood by as the line was shut off by Aquila, the city’s natural gas utility.

Bradford and Aquila officials said the situation didn’t turn dangerous because the fumes didn’t accumulate.

Aquila officials said the line was repaired within about an hour.

Close call

Apartment fire blamed on unattended candle

Fire officials said a Lawrence man was lucky to be alive Wednesday after a fire caused by an unattended candle gutted his apartment at 527 Calif.

The 27-year-old man left a candle burning Tuesday night in the apartment’s living room, said Mark Bradford, deputy chief of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical. The apartment did not have a working smoke detector, and the man woke up about 6 a.m. and found the apartment burning and filled with smoke, Bradford said.

The man was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and first- and second-degree burns, Bradford said. The fire caused an estimated $35,000 in damage.

Bradford said it appeared the candle had been sitting on a wooden table and ignited the table.

“Any unattended candle has the potential of causing significant damage or death,” Bradford said.

The fire was under control by 6:20 a.m. Fire & Medical sent eight units and 21 firefighters to the scene.

Health

State wants to track all West Nile in humans

Topeka — State health officials this week asked Kansas physicians to report all human cases of West Nile virus to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

In previous years, only more severe cases were reported, officials said.

So far this year, KDHE has confirmed West Nile virus in birds in Barton, Johnson, Harvey, Shawnee, Sedgwick and Wilson counties.

No human cases have been reported this summer in Kansas, officials said.

To reduce the risk of West Nile Virus, KDHE recommends using insect repellent with DEET; wearing protective clothing when possible; removing standing water; changing water frequently in bird baths, pet bowls and wading pools; and limiting outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

Vision

Magnifiers offered to newspaper readers

The Lawrence Journal-World is offering sheet-sized magnifiers for our visually impaired customers.

These are available free of charge.

Stop by 609 N.H. to pick one up, or call 843-1000 for delivery.

Gasoline Prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found gasoline prices as low as $1.77 a gallon at several locations around Lawrence.

If you find a lower price, call the Pump Patrol at 832-7154.