Lawrence firefighters with Station 2 extinguish the flames surrounding an automobile during a training exercise on fighting a natural gas fire Friday on the grounds of the training facility at 19th Street and Haskell Avenue. Representatives and trainers from Black Hills Energy were on hand to assist and facilitate the training.

Representatives from Black Hills Energy made a stop in Lawrence on Friday to train the city’s fire department for potential natural gas fires.

Black Hills, a natural gas and electricity provider, travels around the four states it serves — Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and Colorado — to teach the proper way to react in those situations.

“Black Hills Energy is involved with all of the communities we serve,” communications manager Curt Floerchinger said, “and part of that involvement is working hand-in-hand with fire and rescue units.”

Three scenarios were created to test Lawrence’s firefighters and teach them how to stop the flames. One station re-created a broken gas valve. Another displayed a gas meter fire at a home, and the third tested the firefighters on what to do if an automobile runs over a valve.

Natural gas lines were connected to the different stations, so the firefighters practiced on actual natural gas flames. “Natural gas is a safe fuel,” Floerchinger said. “If used properly, there’s generally never a problem. But, if there should be, we want the fire department to be prepared.”