Emergency crews from Andover, Anoka and Coon Rapids responded to reports affecting hundreds of homes and businesses over two nights in late December after residents reported a loud hissing noise and the odor of natural gas, prompting evacuations and a coordinated investigation involving multiple fire departments, law enforcement and utility providers. Officials say no significant gas leaks were found.
The initial incident occurred late Sunday, Dec. 28, when Andover firefighters were dispatched at 11:35 p.m. to the 7th Avenue Northwest area following a report of a loud noise and pressure believed to be associated with utility infrastructure.
Andover Fire Chief Dennis Jones said callers reported a “very loud hissing noise,” though crews did not initially detect the smell of natural gas.
The area has seen significant development in recent years and includes several businesses, a three-story apartment complex and a residential care facility.
The first arriving crews heard the noise, Jones said, prompting a large response that included six Andover fire companies as well as units from Anoka and Ramsey. Businesses and the apartment complex were evacuated, while the residential care facility was instructed to shelter in place. The Anoka-Hennepin School District opened Anoka High School as an evacuation site.
Firefighters monitored the area but did not detect gas readings. CenterPoint Energy responded and worked alongside fire crews to inspect buildings before residents and businesses were allowed to return.
“The ACSO and the city police for Anoka were outstanding, great partners,” Jones said. “They helped evacuate the area.”
Jones also credited Allina Health for having personnel available if needed and Anoka County Emergency Management for coordinating information and outside resources.
Two nights later, on Tuesday, Dec. 30, emergency services began receiving a high volume of calls reporting the odor of natural gas across a wide area stretching from Ham Lake into Andover, Anoka and along the border of Coon Rapids.
Assistant Chief and Deputy Fire Marshal Andy Winkel of the Anoka-Champlin Fire Department said calls began coming in around 2:30 p.m. and continued for several hours.
“Some hundred homes reported an odor,” Winkel said. “Anywhere from northern Anoka to southwest Andover, and then along the border of Coon Rapids, there was a huge area getting reports.”
The Anoka-Champlin and Andover fire departments established a base of operations at Grace Lutheran Church in Anoka and dispatched crews to each report. Winkel said no gas leaks were detected on any of the calls.
“We didn’t find a leak — not in Anoka, not in Andover, not in Coon Rapids,” he said.
Jones said CenterPoint Energy identified some minor leaks during inspections but none significant enough to explain the widespread reports. Emergency responders also tracked weather conditions with Anoka County Emergency Management and observed that reports appeared to follow wind patterns moving westward.
“This is an anomaly,” Jones said. “I’ve been in this job 37 years — I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Jones said CenterPoint used specialized detection vehicles to survey the area and emphasized the company’s cooperation throughout the response.
“Whenever we need assistance, they’re right on the spot,” Jones said. “They are great community partners.”
CenterPoint Energy said in a statement that it responded to reports of a natural gas odor near Bunker Lake Boulevard and Round Lake Boulevard in Andover and coordinated with area emergency responders. The company said no leaks were detected after standard testing procedures.
“Safety is CenterPoint Energy’s core value, and the company works to keep safety at the forefront during all activities,” the statement said.
Cities including Anoka and Coon Rapids provided updates throughout Dec. 30 advising residents to keep windows and doors closed while crews investigated. Later updates cited Anoka County Emergency Management in confirming that no leaks had been found and that earlier reports of a chemical spill were unfounded. Utility companies continued monitoring into the evening.
Northern Natural Gas also responded after reports surfaced. Assistant General Counsel Britany Shotkoski said the company made a courtesy call later that day and found no issues.
“When our technicians arrived, everything was resolved,” Shotkoski said, adding that some work had been done at the facility earlier in the day.
While the source of the odor has not been publicly identified, officials said no conditions requiring further evacuations or emergency actions were found during the response.