GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Green Bay residents on the east side are back in their homes night after an emergency alert Tuesday night told them to evacuate.
The alert was sent by Brown County Emergency Management as Green Bay police and Green Bay Metro Fire responded to a gas leak in the 500 block of Edgewood Drive.
Management sent out the alert at approximately 5:19 p.m., saying there was an ongoing police call near Edgewood Drive and Hillside Lane. The alert stated, “If you reside near here and are able, evacuate from the neighborhood. Bring your family and pets with you to a safe location.”
Despite still elevated gas levels, the alert was quickly canceled. Green Bay police continued to tell residents to stay away, though.
The Green Bay Police Department said that the phone alert was only supposed to be sent to residents in the impacted neighborhood, but it was sent to the whole county. Because of this, the Brown County Emergency Management canceled the emergency alert.
The scene wasn’t cleared, though, until just before 7 p.m. — over an hour and a half after the cancellation alert was sent.
Brown County Emergency Management posted on Facebook Tuesday evening, explaining that it has already reached out to Wisconsin Emergency Management to investigate the software failure.
Police later explained that an unlit gas stove caused the gas leak in a condemned house. Although no one was supposed to be in the home due to its unsafe living conditions, police found a 63-year-old man inside.
The man was cooperative and was later identified as the homeowner.
Police say the investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Green Bay Police Department at (920) 448-3200 and reference case #22-265600. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime stoppers at (920) 432-7867, submit a tip online or utilize the “P3 Tips” app.
