Bend, Ore. – The Bend Fire Department says an underground drilling company replacing an old gas line accidentally hit a 2” gas line with their drill, causing a gas leak this afternoon in a Bend neighborhood.
The Bend Fire Department responded and evacuated about 30 homes in the area until the broken line was shut off by Cascade Natural Gas crews. Fire and gas company personnel also checked houses for gas infiltration and made sure no basements were filled with gas, which took about 2 and a half hours.
As soon as the line was securely clamped off, people were allowed to return to their homes, although NW Riverfront will continue to be blocked for several hours while the gas company locates and repairs the actual break. (Further information on road closure can be obtained from Cascade Natural Gas.)
Although this was not a case of digging blindly, if you are doing any sort of underground work, be sure to call the Utilities Locate line at 8-1-1 a few days before you dig. They will locate all underground utilities in the area you wish to excavate, free of charge and can save you a lot of headaches.
If you see local news happen, call the Horizon Broadcasting Group News Tip Hotline at 541-323-NEWS, or email us.
