'It was kind of scary': TC Energy and local first responders contain gas leak overnight in Sheboygan County

ADELL, Wis. (CBS 58) - In a media release, TC Energy stated that a gas leak that occurred at their Kewaskum Compressor Station in Sheboygan County last night has been contained. 

The energy company states that they were "notified at approximately 10:20 p.m. and immediately activated emergency response procedures."

Neighbors described the situation as loud and unexpected.

Nearby resident Jeanne Bonlender said when she stepped outside to walk her dog, the noise caught her off guard.

“It sounded like really high winds almost like tornado or hurricane like, it was kind of crazy,” she said. “So I put him outside. And when I put him outside it sounded like jets were right above us.”

She added that the smell was strong.

“I thought it was like a sewer smell. It was just terrible,” Bonlender said. “I thought it was sewage at first; I never thought it was natural gas.”

Nearby resident Dennis Krueger said fire crews knocked on his door around 11:30 p.m., telling him to evacuate to the Beechwood Volunteer Fire Department.

“Pounding at the door from the fire department. We were supposed to evacuate because of the gas line that was under pressure. As soon as I opened the door, you could hear it was just roaring,” he said.

Krueger said he had to get his wife up and dressed in the middle of the night.

“I had to get my wife up, my wife has Parkinson's so I had to get her dressed and got out to the car,” he said. “It was kind of scary. But everything turned out good, we’re all safe.”

TC Energy acknowledged that gas was released through a pressure relief valve, which performed as intended.

An evacuation of the residents living in a one-mile radius of the leak was done, however this evacuation has since been lifted. The evacuation was said to be out of an abundance of caution by local officials. 

"At approximately 12:15 a.m. on December 26th, 2025, our personnel confirmed the release of natural gas had been stopped," a company spokesperson stated.

The Sheboygan County Sheriff's Office says residents were out of their homes for about one to two hours while the
company and first responders ensured the residences and environment were safe

TC Energy also wishes to note that their first concern and priority is that of the "health and safety of the community, our workers, and the environment."

The company reports that there are no impacts to surrounding natural gas services and that their "personnel remain on site and are working closely with first responders, landowners, local utilities, and regulatory authorities."