UPDATE: Gas-leak response in Upper Fauntleroy

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1:36 PM: For the second day in a row, SFD has responded to a house in the 8400 block of 42nd SW – which also has a side on SW Thistle – because of a gas leak. We don’t know Tuesday’s circumstances, but this time it’s described by firefighters as a small line – less than two inches – damaged by “digging in the back yard.”

1:40 PM: Police are being called to block SW Thistle just east of the scene, at 41st, and at California to the west.

1:56 PM: Puget Sound Energy (the gas utility for this area) is reported to have arrived.

2 PM: Firefighters just told dispatch that “the leak is secured.”

2:25 PM: SFD has closed out its response and the street has reopened.

Kate October 11, 2023 (1:51 pm)

Today, I was checking the mail and smelled the gas (didn’t yesterday). Then the fire engines arrived.

Nate October 11, 2023 (1:52 pm)

We are about a block away and the smell of gas is STRONG! Be careful everyone.

waikikigirl October 11, 2023 (2:42 pm)

Call before you dig. 811

Flivver October 11, 2023 (3:08 pm)

If a gas leak originates on private property is the contractor (if hired) ultimately legally liable or is the homeowner on the hook for any/all damages a leak may cause to neighbors/city property.

bill October 11, 2023 (8:07 pm)

If the line was properly located (call 811 for the service) then whoever was digging. If the locater service messes up (like our gas line) then the utility pays.
- Hammer in Hand October 11, 2023 (10:16 pm)
  
  18” either side of markings is a tolerance of 811 even with marking one must be careful

KT October 11, 2023 (4:23 pm)

I dug into the gas line once and the fire dept came quickly as well as Puget Sound Energy to fix the pipe. Turns out our pipes were not buried very deeply by whoever installed them. Do call before you dig. The pipes are plastic too so easily breached by a shovel. No fine for us due to pipes not being very deep.

bill October 11, 2023 (8:11 pm)

Plastic doesn’t spark when a powered metal bit hits it (ours was a root grinder). Plastic pipe can be quickly fixed with a barbed union. You can also fold it back on itself to stop the leak until the utility crew arrives.

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