Joplin’s 15th Street Walmart reopens after gas leak, four hospitalized

Joplin’s 15th Street Walmart has reopened after it was evacuated briefly Monday afternoon due to a gas leak.

At 12:27 p.m., the Joplin 911 Center received reports of a possible natural gas leak at the store.

First responders were told that several people in the store were showing medical symptoms because of the gas leak.

Five people who were exhibiting various medical symptoms were treated as officials used metering devices to determine if the presence of natural gas was in the structure.

The city of Joplin says personnel determined that there were low-level readings of natural gas in the structure, and out of an abundance of caution, the decision was made to evacuate the store until a determination of the source could be identified.

Spire Gas Service responded to assist, and METS ambulance transported four people to area hospitals for evaluation.

After testing and evaluation by Spire Gas Service was completed, the store was re-opened at approximately 2:30 p.m. after it had been deemed safe.

Determination as to the cause and origin of the gas leak was believed to be in the bakery related to the installation of a new oven.