Rensselaer, IN – Routine venting at a natural gas facility near I-65 Southbound sparked confusion among drivers Thursday morning, prompting emergency calls.
The Rensselaer Volunteer Fire Department responded to reports of a truck fire near mile marker 220. However, upon investigation, officials determined the flames were part of a standard safety process used by the nearby gas pipeline facility. Known as “venting,” the process safely releases excess gas by burning it off, creating visible flames several feet high.
According to the fire department, these calls occur frequently as drivers mistake the flames for emergencies. Reports often describe truck crashes, brush fires, or “unknown fires.” Firefighters explained that unless there are additional signs of danger, such as smoke or debris, the venting process is not cause for alarm.
