Tree service company strikes improperly marked gas line at Dover home
DOVER (WJER) (July 23, 2024) – Dover firefighters say they were called to stand by after a tree service company accidentally ruptured a gas line outside a house due to improper markings.
There were no injuries. The incident happened in the 100 block of East 11th Street at about 6 p.m. on Monday.
Fire Captain Joe Minocchi says the employees were using a stump grinder and struck a low-pressure gas line that was feeding the residence, even though precautions were taken.
“A company was called to come out and highlight or mark all the gas lines and all the service lines, but the line that was struck was about 20 feet away from what was thought to have been the marked gas line,” Minocchi said.
He says the Enbridge Gas company arrived to repair the broken line and then ventilated the house after high levels of natural gas were detected inside. But Minocchi says the home was fortunately vacant.
“Which is a good thing because if it was occupied, then you have the risk of the exposure to the natural gas,” he said. “Plus, also at any time a place is full of gas vapor, there’s a chance for fire explosion, so, it’s a good thing nobody was home.”
Responders were on scene there for about two hours and 40 minutes Monday night.