Evacuations Stirred Fears During Gas Leak In Bensalem Township

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —Lisa Imbrogno heard the pounding on her Canterbury Court door around 11:15 a.m. Tuesday. Then she heard the yelling: "Fire Department."

A natural gas leak had just been reported and Bensalem Township Police were warning motorists to avoid the intersection of Bristol Road and Bensalem Boulevard. Meanwhile, residents of Canterbury Court and Saddlebrook Estates were told to leave their homes.

Imbrogno —a Bensalem resident since 2014 —said she had never been evacuated before.

"It was scary," Imbrogno said during a conversation on the Bensalem Patch Facebook page Wednesday.

She said that four firefighters appeared at her door, telling her there was a leak in a high-pressure gas line and that she needed to leave immediately.

They pointed toward Bristol Road where there has been recent construction. They told me to move toward Bensalem Boulevard, away from the leak. I left through my back door and started walking toward Bensalem Boulevard. The firemen said I could get into my car and drive away from the area using Bensalem Boulevard.

Imbrogno instead fled to her fiance's house in Langhorne and watched the police posts on her phone.

"I could hear the gas flowing when I drove out of Canterbury Court," she said.

About two hours later, Bensalem Fire Rescue reported on its Facebook page that the gas leak was secured by PECO crews and the roads were reopened. Police reported as well that residents could return to their homes.

Other residents expressed their concern on Bensalem Patch about the situation, seeing all the emergency crews and hoping that everyone was safe.

It was not reported how many residents were evacuated.

Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo said that Tuesday showed how "well-trained" EMS, police and fire staff are.

"We make sure they do their job," the mayor told Patch Wednesday afternoon. "And yesterday they got it done quickly and safely."

For Imbrogno, Tuesday was a learning experience.

"It really set in how dangerous it was when I exited the parking lot and heard the roar of the gas escaping. The stench was irritating," Imbrogno said. "I got scared when I realized my cat and my important documents were still in my house. I now have a plan to bring my portable fireproof safe with me whenever I have to evacuate. Hopefully never again!"