Officials evacuate 3 homes due to gas leak

ST. GEORGE – At least three homes were evacuated following a gas line rupture on 2630 South Circle Monday.

The 2-inch natural gas line had been ruptured during work at a new home construction site, St. George Fire Battalion Chief Darren Imlay said.

Dominion Energy was notified of the break and contacted the St. George Fire Department around 11:45 a.m. The Fire Department was sent to the scene as a precautionary measure in case the gas from the punctured line ignited, Imlay said.

Firefighters with the St. George Fire Department stand by in the area of 1960 East and 2630 S. Circle as a precaution in case a gas leak being tended to by a Dominion Energy crew ignited. At least three homes were evacuated the incident, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2018 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

(The gas) is blowing fairly freely fight now,” Imlay said as the loud hiss of the escaping gas could be heard nearby.

Homes considered to be at risk should the gas ignite were evacuated, Imlay said, though he noted none of the homes had any gas in them.

They evacuated our entire circle,” resident David Cromar said, who lives next door to the new home being built.

“They came and knocked on the door and said, ‘We need to evacuate you guys and we’re going to have to tear up the yard to get to the gas line and shut things down.’”

After using a backhoe to dig down to the gas line under Cromar’s yard, the work crew was able to crimp the line and shut the ruptured line down around 2 p.m. They then turned their attention to the broken line.

The St. George Fire Department, which had a firetruck and crew on standby, was released from the scene once the gas was shut off.

Cromar and his family had left the area prior the gas being shut off. He said both Dominion Energy and the St. George Fire Department had his number for when when it was safe to return home.

No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

Imlay recommended that anyone planning to dig in their yard contact Blue Stakes in order to avoid hitting gas lines.

This report is based on statements from police or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

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Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.

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