May 04--A car apparently hit a gas line and meter on Grant Street Saturday, leading to the evacuation of six buildings.
Firefighters had to wait for Unitil, the gas utility, to send a worker to cut off gas to the block before they could restore power that had been cut to buildings on Grant Street between Deering Avenue and Weymouth Street and allow residents to return to their homes, said Deputy Fire Chief David Jackson.
Jackson said a call about the gas leak came in around 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Residents were evacuated from the building closest to the leak, 165 Grant St., three other buildings on the same side of the street and two across the street. They were allowed back in the homes after 9 p.m., he said.
Unitil had sent a crew to another gas problem in South Portland, Jackson said, and it took a back-up technician more than a half an hour to get to Portland. He said the gas company wasn't sure if there was any damage to the lines underground, so it could take some time before gas service is restored.
Jackson said police are investigating to see if they can identify the car that hit the meter and line.
No one was hurt in the incident.
Staff Writer Edward D. Murphy can be contacted at 791-6465 or at:
Copyright 2014 - Portland Press Herald, Maine
