Published on August 26, 2025
Newton Fire/EMS is working with other local and state agencies to investigate the source of natural gas detected in the new Fox Ridge housing development in Newton.
Kansas Gas Service is using vacuum trucks to remove the gas from the ground to prevent the risk of ignition. The homes in the area are not in danger. The source of the gas is still unknown.
The gas was first discovered last Friday as Kansas Gas Service was conducting a site survey near Southeast 10th and Logan. Kansas Gas has since determined the gas is not coming from its lines.
The Harvey County Commission on Tuesday morning approved a disaster declaration to enable access to additional resources, including two Regional Hazardous Material teams from the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office to perform area atmospheric monitoring.
Also assisting in the investigation are Harvey County Emergency Management, the Kansas State Fire Marshal, the Kansas Geological Survey, the Kansas Corporation Commission, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management.