Severed gas main forces evacuation
Trenton Times
07/24/2003 http://www.nj.com
WASHINGTON TWP, (MERCER) N.J. —Numerous residents of the Town Center neighborhood were evacuated from their homes yesterday afternoon when a 2-inch gas main was ruptured by a construction crew, fire officials said.
Workers for Public Service Electric & Gas were digging in the area of Heritage Boulevard when they struck a gas line about 12:45 p.m., township Fire Chief Kevin Brink said.
Firefighters were called to an alley behind houses on Heritage Boulevard and Burnet Crescent Road because a strong odor of gas filled the area, Brink said.
The odor forced firefighters to evacuate about 10 houses while PSE&G workers figured out how to shut off the gas main, he said.
Residents were able to re-enter their homes after 30 minutes or so, Brink said.
No one suffered injuries from the odor, he said.