Construction Crew Strikes Gas Line, Prompts Evacuations

A construction crew severed a natural gas line in Fullerton on Friday, prompting some evacuations and interrupting service to around 40 customers.

The gas leak was reported shortly before 11:30 a.m. along Commonwealth Avenue, and the street was closed between Euclid Street and Basque Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol and the Southern California Gas Co.

Denise King of the Gas Co. said a third-party contractor working in the area broke the line, and four businesses were evacuated as a safety precaution. She said gas service was interrupted for 35 to 40 homes in the area.

Crews were working to stem the flow of gas and repair the line, but that process could take until mid- to late-afternoon, King said.

King encouraged residents, contractors and business owners to call 811 at least two days before doing any digging to ensure no underground gas lines will be damaged.

— City News Service