Contractor Fixing Water Leak Causes Gas Leak​ In New City UPDATE

UPDATE — Two gas service lines were cut open Tuesday morning by a contractor with a back hoe who was trying to repair a water leak outside an office building, according to O&R officials.

At 10:47 a.m., Rockland County Fire Control reported that a contractor using a back hoe to repair a water leak at 337 North Main St., New City had dug up two ¾ inch plastic O&R gas service lines, the lines were cut open and natural gas was blowing into the air.

O&R dispatched gas technicians to the scene. They arrived at 11:06 am and shut down the gas at a curb valve.

No one was injured. The fire department evacuated 25-30 occupants from the building for safety's sake.

Repairs have begun. There are about 24 gas customers in the building and O&R estimates that gas service will be restored by day’s end.

The contractor was from Christopher Meredith, Inc., a landscaping contractor from Pomona.

NEW CITY, NY — Clarkstown police are on North Main Street in New City where a gas line was ruptured during a digging project.

The building has been evacuated for safety reasons, police said.