11:10 AM: Thanks for the tip. SFD has three units at the scene of a natural-gas leak in the 4000 block of 42nd SW [vicinity map] and are calling for police to block 42nd between Andover and Dakota. The leaking line was described over emergency radio as “nickel-sized.” They’re evacuating neighboring homes as a precaution.
11:27 AM: Puget Sound Energy has stopped the leak, so SFD and SPD are clearing, and 42nd will reopen.
How wide of a radius was the evacuation? Asking as I’m a few blocks away but wasn’t contacted.
Generally just a house or two. Firefighters take air readings to determine safety level. This wasn’t a huge leak.
Is this the same area where they are removing old street panels and replacing them with new ones? Is this another case of some good ol’ boy bubbas operating heavy equipment and digging with proper utility due diligence? I didn’t see and markings around when I walked by yesterday.
Maybe, but there have been several gas line strikes where the contractor DID get the street marked, and the gas lines they hit weren’t known and didn’t get marked. Any other utility I would 100% assume it was the contractor not doing diligence, but Puget Sound Energy seems to have trouble keeping track of their pipes.
Having gas lines located is essential, but there may still be a line when none is detected. When we had stump grinding done the locator service could not find our gas line. Assumed it was run alongside the neighbors’, on their side of the property line. Nope. First thing the stump grinders hit was our gas line.
I believe it is the same place, 41st. The utilities appear to be located, if you are looking at the center of the road (work area) they are clearly noted on the blacktop being replaced. The EAST panel has not yet been removed, so on your walk you can clearly see the markings on the asphalt – hopefully they will replace that one today and my neighbors and I can get our street parking back!
Don’t know about the “bubbas” comment, but the gas line appeared to be above the min 12″ depth. And there was a different operator on the controls after the incident. BUT they have the west panel poured and if the rain will let up, maybe they can get the east one done today!
Sorry, comment time is over.
| 7 COMMENTS