BANGOR, Maine — A construction crew subcontracted by Bangor Gas accidentally punctured and ruptured a 2-inch gas line running under Ohio Street early Tuesday afternoon, affecting 18 customers and closing the road for 20 minutes.
“The break occurred in front of 243 Ohio St. and we got the call at 1:59 p.m.,” said Bangor Assistant Fire Chief Tom Higgins. “By the time we got there, they had already secured the leak with clamps.”
Eighteen customers were left without gas for almost three hours, and the road had to be closed for 20 minutes as crews widened the hole to begin permanent repairs. Higgins said a crew member told him it would take about two hours to fix the pipe.
Either a rock or one of the teeth on a backhoe caused the puncture.
“We just checked air quality to make sure the leak was in fact gone,” said Higgins. “Those things clamp those pipes down tight, but the pipe reforms its shape after they’re taken off. It’s pretty impressive.”
Engines and rescue units responded from both Central Station on Main Street and Station Six on Griffin Road. An aerial — or bucket — truck was also dispatched.
“There were no injuries or anything like that, just a pain in the butt for Bangor Gas,” Higgins said.
Seems that Bangor Gas should have given more information to its subcontractor. This is not the first time it has happened.
always call dig safe contractors fault
Hopefully they can continue to put gas lines in the ground without blowing the whole city sky high one of these days.
glad for all it was a warm day geez dont do that when it gets cold
I don’t know my way around Bangor very well, but it sure seems as if Ohio Street sees its fair share of action.
Free gas for the transients to huff……..
goes great with bath salts and Allen’s.