Natural gas leak near Satartia and Oil City, Mississippi

UPDATE 8:55 p.m.

Authorities have identified the gas as carbon dioxide or CO2. The gas has been shut off, apparently, but it will take a while for the emissions to clear the area.

UPDATE 8:20 p.m.

Warren County Fire Coordinator Gerald Briggs, 911 Director and Northeast Fire Chief Shane Garrard and Culkin Fire Chief Lamar Federick are responding to Yazoo County to assist at the request of Yazoo Emergency Management Director Jack Willingham.

Pafford Ambulance Service has established a decontamination station near Highway 3/433. The Mississippi Highway Patrol notified Merit Health River Region to be on standby for incoming patients as the hospital in Yazoo City is reaching capacity for emergency services. Patients are reporting the loss of consciousness and shortness of breath.

Original story:

Yazoo County Authorities notified Warren County of a toxic chemical release in the Satartia / Oil City area around 7:35 p.m. Saturday.

Mississippi Emergency Management is advising that it is a natural gas leak.

Authorities are asking people to stay out of the State Highway 3 and Highway 433 area until further notice.

This is a developing situation. We will provide further details as they become available.