Workers from BRW Construction accidentally hit a 1 1/4" natural gas line while excavating an area to install new water lines. The incident that occurred shortly after 2:15 p.m. was near the intersection of Airport Road and Highway 196 West but traffic was not disrupted.
Emergency units from Hinesville Station two, Liberty EMS and newly appointed Liberty-Hinesville Emergency Management Director Mike Hodges arrived within minutes to secure the area.
According to Wendal Carter, a foreman from Atlanta Gas Light who was in the vicinity locating lines and arrived to secure the scene, an operations crew, who were currently working in Baxley, were dispatched to stop the leak and make the necessary repairs.
Operations Manager Paul Brannen and his work crew arrived within the hour and were able to squeeze off the polyethylene pipe to stop the outflow of the natural gas. The service line was being used by Faith Baptist Church for their gas appliances.
A worker, who identified himself as a job supervisor for BRW but would not give his name, said the gas main was clearly marked but not the service line.
No injuries were reported.
"Depending on what is happening and where, these things can create a hazardous situation," Hodges said. "Thank goodness everything played out well. The wind was blowing the gas away from the congested areas of traffic, it was natural gas and not propane and that led to a good recovery."
Emergency units from Hinesville Station two, Liberty EMS and newly appointed Liberty-Hinesville Emergency Management Director Mike Hodges arrived within minutes to secure the area.
According to Wendal Carter, a foreman from Atlanta Gas Light who was in the vicinity locating lines and arrived to secure the scene, an operations crew, who were currently working in Baxley, were dispatched to stop the leak and make the necessary repairs.
Operations Manager Paul Brannen and his work crew arrived within the hour and were able to squeeze off the polyethylene pipe to stop the outflow of the natural gas. The service line was being used by Faith Baptist Church for their gas appliances.
A worker, who identified himself as a job supervisor for BRW but would not give his name, said the gas main was clearly marked but not the service line.
No injuries were reported.
"Depending on what is happening and where, these things can create a hazardous situation," Hodges said. "Thank goodness everything played out well. The wind was blowing the gas away from the congested areas of traffic, it was natural gas and not propane and that led to a good recovery."