ATLANTIC CITY — A contractor working in Atlantic City struck a high-pressure natural gas line Tuesday morning, prompting firefighters to evacuate a nearby residential building and close a portion of Atlantic Avenue.
The Atlantic City Fire Department responded at approximately 6:30 a.m. to the rupture near Florida Avenue and Atlantic Avenue.
Initial arriving units from Battalion 2, Engine 2, Engine 1 and Ladder 2 found that an excavator had struck a high-pressure gas service line, sending a significant plume of natural gas toward nearby residential properties.
Firefighters immediately deployed a charged hose line equipped with an automatic deluge nozzle to protect evacuees and firefighters in the event the gas ignited.
Atlantic City Fire Department Hazardous Materials Technicians conducted atmospheric readings throughout the affected area. As a precaution, they determined that 2419 Atlantic Avenue, an occupied residential building, needed to be evacuated.
Atlantic City police officers assisted firefighters in safely evacuating all occupants from the building.
A unified command post was established at Bellevue and Atlantic avenues to coordinate the response among the fire department, police and utility crews.
South Jersey Gas responded with an emergency crew and successfully clamped the damaged line, stopping the leak.
Once the line was secured and atmospheric readings returned to safe levels, residents of 2419 Atlantic Avenue were allowed to return to their homes.
No injuries were reported among firefighters, police officers, contractors, bystanders or residents.
The Atlantic City Fire Department credited its firefighters, Hazardous Materials Technicians and Atlantic City Police Department officers for their rapid and coordinated response to what officials described as a potentially dangerous incident.
Atlantic Avenue between Florida and Georgia avenues remains closed while South Jersey Gas and the contractor complete repairs.
Motorists are being advised to follow posted detours and avoid the area until the work is finished.
The cause of the line strike and the identity of the contractor involved were not immediately released.
About the Author
Karen Johnson
With over 30 years of news experience in major markets like Los Angeles, Denver, and Columbus, Karen now covers our area for South Jersey NewsBeat. She also brings her articulate and conversational news delivery to WOND radio listeners every weekday. Her background includes work with the NBC Radio Network, and she thrives in fast-paced news environments.
