In Middlesex Boro, Gas Being Turned Off To Flooded Homes

MIDDLESEX BOROUGH, NJ — Middlesex borough announced Labor Day that PSE&G is going around the town, turning off gas to flooded homes as a safety precaution.

"The previously submerged meters and appliances pose a gas leak risk," said Middlesex borough in an emergency statement sent to all residents.

Some customers who did not experience flooding will also have their gas service turned off, out of an abundance of caution, warned PSE&G.

Middlesex borough is trying to avoid what happened in Manville, where a home and a restaurant exploded Thursday. Both of the explosions are believed to have been caused by gas leaks because of floodwaters, said Somerset County Prosecutor spokesman Frank Roman.

Another house in Manville did not explode but it caught fire due to leaking gas from the flood waters. Also, a house exploded in Somerville, also thought to be caused by a gas leak.

Nobody was injured in any of the incidents.

In Manville, firefighters were unable to reach the burning buildings because they were surrounded by eight feet of murky flood water. In nearby Piscataway, the mayor warned residents not to wade through flood waters as there were live electrical wires hidden in the flooding.

President Biden is set to tour Manville on Tuesday. Here is what PSE&G said about the risk of leaving gas on when homes have been flooded: pseg.com/Ida-GasRestoration

Houses now exploding in Manville. pic.twitter.com/D6P5aZS1kg
— Jay Dee (@JayDeeLulz) September 2, 2021

pic.twitter.com/oZOAdvaDgh
— Jay Dee (@JayDeeLulz) September 2, 2021