Montgomery County Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Hamman reports that at approximately 1:28-p.m. today (February 28th), the Montgomery County Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call from the Villisca Good Samaritan Nursing Home at 202 Central Ave in Villisca reporting a possible gas leak in the building with evacuations taking place.

Upon investigation of the source of the odor, it was determined that an outdoor bulk tank nearby was being filled by a vendor who had a mechanical failure and caused a small amount of product to drift into the atmosphere which caused a small amount of product to enter the air handling system of the nursing home causing them to initiate their emergency response protocols. The nursing home was cleared by both Villisca Fire and Alliant Energy and no hazards were found.

38 residents and 17 staff members were ultimately evacuated to the Villisca Wellness Center as a precaution. 1 resident was treated on scene by Villisca EMS for a small abrasion. All residents were transported back to the nursing home approximately 1 hour after the 9-1-1 call was made.

Villisca Fire & Rescue was assisted on scene by Montgomery County Emergency Management and Alliant Energy.