Workers at the site of Philomath water-sewer project on South 19th Street hit a pressurized natural gas line Tuesday but the rupture was small enough that an evacuation of the neighborhood was not needed, Philomath Fire and Rescue reported.
The local fire department was called to the scene at 9:20 a.m. Dec. 31 in the 500 block of South 19th, which is a stretch south of the intersection with Cedar Street. Upon approval, firefighters met with the construction supervisor who led them to a half-inch natural gas line that was cut while digging a trench.
According to a report by the fire department, a location service mark for the gas line was not found — one was present for a line in the opposite direction.
“The gas line was crimped in a way that allowed only a small leak of gas, which quickly dissipated,” Philomath Fire and Rescue said in its report. “(There was) no need for evacuation.”
NW Natural arrived at the work site to handle repairs.