Equipment Failure Shuts Off Natural Gas To City Of Kiefer

Chief of Police Johnny O'Mara said the City of Kiefer is without natural gas Tuesday.

The outage was caused by an overnight equipment malfunction, he said. Oklahoma Natural Gas and city crews are working to restore service.

Crews are racing against dropping temperatures as they try to get nearly 500 gas meters turned on. 

City workers are going door to door, turning off meters so ONG can repair the failed equipment, according to O'Mara. Once the equipment has been fixed, gas customers will have to be at their homes or businesses when calling for gas to be restored.

"Emergency trailers which can supply gas are being provided to Kiefer City Hall which will be open for vulnerable persons," he said. 

"Local restaurants, Country Hills Diner and Deb's Drive-In, are also being provided with emergency gas for patrons needing food service."

Katherine Lawrence, a Kiefer resident, said while she was able to lite fire in her home, she was concerned for people who did not have a place to go.

"We have a lot of people here who are on fixed income and average pay. It makes it a little harder for them during this time with the cold," said Lawrence.

As the city and ONG crews work through the cold, people like Wayne Howell said he is prepared in case the gas outage at his home lasts through the night.

"We'll just keep the fireplace going, keep this little heater going, and do whatever we need to do - improvise, adapt and overcome - the Marine Corps motto," said Howell.

For crews to turn your meter back on, you need to be home or at your business.

ONG released the following statement: 

Oklahoma Natural Gas personnel continue to work diligently with the City of Kiefer to restore natural gas service to customers in the area this evening.  We have 21 teams working in a support role to assist in these efforts.  Door tags with the Kiefer Public Utility phone number will be left behind for those who aren’t home during the relight process.  All questions regarding the timeline and the number of homes that have been restored should be directed to your contact in Kiefer.

As always, if you smell natural gas please leave the area and call 911.