Warren Gas Leak: New Information About Monday's Construction Mishap

WARREN, RI — National Grid inspected about 120 homes on Monday after a gas leak forced police and firefighters to evacuate residents and businesses near the corner of Water and Baker streets, Deputy Chief Joseph R. Loiselle said. The evacuation affected people on Water Street (from Liberty to State streets), on Miller and Church streets and on sections of Baker Street. The utility company workers went house to house on water street to check the gas pipes from the street to the basements.

The leak was reported around 1:25 p.m. The gas company was on the scene in about 35 minutes. Workers located the source of the leak and stopped it around 4 p.m. Because so much gas had escaped from the main line, the utility decided to shut off gas service on Water Street, affecting customers all the way to South Main Street at the Bristol line.

"Preliminary investigation reveals that a CB Utility backhoe operator moved the water pipe that was next to the gas line and a coupling was blown off the stub connected to the gas main," he said. "However, the investigation has not been completed as of this writing. It appears from all accounts that Dig Safe had properly marked the roadway where the incident occurred. No injuries were reported as a result of this incident."