Enfield gas leak closes roads, forces evacuations - WFSB 3 Connecticut

Enfield gas leak closes roads, forces evacuations

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ENFIELD, CT (WFSB) -

A gas leak in the Thompsonville section of Enfield closed roads and forced some businesses to be evacuated early Tuesday morning.

Around 8:30 a.m., crews were working on Pearl Street for a fiber optics project when they hit a 1-inch gas line.

With natural gas levels rising inside a few businesses, emergency crews evacuated Diana's Bakery along with Carona's Package Store and Supermarket, and a seamstress farther up the street.

"Within about an hour and half of starting our shift, police came in fire department told us to evacuate the building," said Jerry Macari, of Diana's Bakery. As safety precaution, we had to shut our ovens down."

As crews from Yankee Gas repaired the line, firefighters blocked off roads and monitored readings on the 200-foot stretch of Pearl Street.

"It was just a very heavy natural gas presence in the area," said Thompsonville firefighter Mark Zacaro.

Crews made quick work of the leak and gas service was restored shortly after 10 a.m., much to the delight of the baker's ovens who depend on it.

"It's very difficult," Macari said. "Everything runs on gas and we had to shut it down. We got everything fired back up and we're back to baking doughnuts, Danish, muffins and bread."

The contractor is expected to have to pay for the repairs.

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