A liquefied gas similar to propane used to test international water heaters accidently leaked from a cylinder while is was being used at the Bradford White Company in Middleville, triggering a response from emergency workers with haz mat training. The amount of the leak was well less than the approximately 23 gallons of liquefied gas in the container, Thornapple Township Emergency Services reported.

TTES secured the area around the leak and moved employees from the area in the water heater manufacturing plant. By 12:25 p.m., the leak had been secured and after a period of ventilation and additional air sampling, the all clear was given and the water heater manufacturing facility on Lafayette Street resumed normal operations, the report said.

Because limited manpower is available in the daytime, help was asked from Hastings and Caledonia fire departments, the Barry County Sheriff’s Office and Barry County Emergency Management.

The call to TTES came  in at 11:04 a.m. on Aug. 23.

All responders cleared the scene at 1:22 p.m.