AVON, Cache County — A "venting operation" at the recently installed Ruby pipeline resulted in Avon residents being evacuated to a nearby LDS Church building late Wednesday night.
Around 11:30 p.m., residents reported a "very loud, jet-engine-like noise, possible flames and bright light" coming from the area east of Avon, a small town near Logan, near Porcupine Reservoir.
Cache County police, fire and hazmat crews responded to the area, and residents were directed to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building in Paradise during the investigation.
Earlier in the day, a bulldozer operator doing work near the pipeline had made contact with it, officials said. No leak or fire resulted, but the line had to be depressurized so an inspection could be conducted.
When emergency personnel decided the incident was not a leak or a failure but a "venting operation" that posed no threat to the public, evacuees returned home.
Ruby pipeline officials continued their evaluation of the pipeline Thursday.
Avon is a town of about 370 residents 15 miles south of Logan. Paradise is about four miles north of Avon.