Natural Gas Line Break Forces a Few Evacuations

By The Sun, Yuma, Ariz.

Mar. 7–The rupture of a natural gas line Monday afternoon in Somerton forced the evacuation of a few nearby houses.

The Somerton/Cocopah Fire Department responded at 1:51 p.m. for a break in a half-inch line at 356 N. State Ave., said department spokesman Robby Rodriguez. “We evacuated the houses around the area because that eliminates an ignition source,” he said.

Rodriguez said the rupture occurred during the demolition of a home. He said a wall that was knocked down fell on the meter and broke the line just below the shutoff valve.

Southwest Gas responded and used an expanding plug to fill the leak. SCFD stood by during the repair and then turned the scene over to Southwest Gas.

“No one was injured,” Rodriguez said.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Sun, Yuma, Ariz.

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