A sudden, startling blast rippled through the area, stirring alarm among residents and commuters alike.
A loud boom and the smell of gas were reported near a natural gas station on Highway 367 South just after 6 p.m., prompting a multi‑agency emergency response that shut down the roadway, halted gas flow, and resulted in no injuries or evacuations.
Explosion and Gas Leak at Natural Gas Station
Just after 6 p.m., the Higginson Fire Department was dispatched to the Natural Gas Station at 3543 Highway 367 South after reports of a loud boom and a gas odor. First responders arrived to find a large leak emanating from the station’s compressor area.
Highway 367 and the northbound on‑ramp were immediately closed, and mutual aid was requested from the Searcy Fire Department for a hazardous‑materials response. Summit Utilities and White County Emergency Management were also called to the scene.
Summit Utilities arrived and successfully shut off the gas flow to the compressor. No evacuations of residents from Higginson or Searcy were required.
The roadway remained closed for about an hour and a half, causing brief disruptions to local businesses. There were no injuries or fatalities, and officials thanked the responding agencies for their swift action.
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