Natural Gas line broken during contruction work on 29th Ave.
Incident #: 2012037589 Date of Incident: 9/1/2012 Issuing Officer: C Cornelius / Battalion Chief
Narrative:
On Friday, August 31, at 12:18 PM, the Spokane Fire Department dispatched 1 Senior Ladder, 4 Engines and 2 Chiefs to a reported break in a natural gas line at the intersection of 29th Ave. and Latawah St. Private contractors performing roadwork on 29th Ave. pierced a large gas pipe with a backhoe. Engine 11, from Station 11 located at 32nd and Perry was the first to arrive on scene. Engine 11's Captain reported that the break was in a large supply line (roughly 6 inches) and that they were in the process of starting area evacuations and removal of ignition sources. Two addition fire companies and a 3rd Chief were brought in to assist with the evacuations and safety issues. Initial priorities of the Fire Department were to warn and evacuate civilians from the immediate area. Latawah was evacuated from 30th north to 28th. 29th Ave. was evacuated both east and west of the intersection. Two day care facilities, a church school, numerous homes, several nearby businesses and part of an apartment building were evacuated. Spokane Transit Authority provided a bus to assist in providing a climate controlled environment for those evacuated. Specialists from Avista promptly responded to the scene. Avista and Fire personnel worked together making several entries into the hazard area to shut down two different supply valves. A third emergency shut-off valve was brought in and installed to completely stop the flow of gas. Throughout the incident, detection equipment from the Spokane Fire Department's Hazardous Material Team was used to monitor the surrounding area for dangerous levels of gas. Crews were on the scene for over three hours repairing the line and providing safety for those in the area. The incident was safely mitigated with no injuries.
Cause:
Heavy construction equipment breaking gas line.
Damage:
Damage to gas supply line. No damage to surrounding area.
# Firefighters Responding: 25
End Of Release For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002
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