ESSEX -- Approximately 100 people were evacuated from surrounding businesses and homes when a natural gas line was struck shortly after 9 a.m. Friday on Western Avenue.
The incident started when a forklift operator of Atlantic Industrial Models of Essex struck a natural gas line connected to Paul Russell and Co., a car restoration business at 106 Western Ave.
Police from several towns, including Hamilton, Manchester, Ipswich and Essex, all aided the Essex firefighters as they arrived to secure the scene when the gas line was ruptured.
Essex Fire Chief Dan Doucette said about 16 firefighters helped seal off the area while Manchester firefighters covered the Essex station.
"As a precaution, firefighters evacuated all occupants of the complex, established a safe area around the incident, restricted traffic flow and prepared a water supply until the leak was controlled," Doucette said in an email.
Police shut down sections of Apple Street and Western Avenue, while escorting anywhere from 75 to 125 people from their homes and businesses, Essex police Sgt. Paul Francis said.
Doucette said National Grid's response time was very quick; a crew arrived about 20 minutes after the utility was notified of the incident. The only course of action was to wait until National Grid was able to shut off the gas, he said.
He added gas line ruptures are not a regular occurrence, but can happen from time to time.
People were let into their homes shortly after 10 a.m. Doucette said there were no serious injuries or damages, and that the National Grid crew was still working on the problem when police and firefighters left.
James Niedzinski can be reached at 978-283-7000 x 3455 or [email protected].
Copyright 2012 - Gloucester Daily Times, Mass.
