Its about gas line explosion: Its not uncommon for workers to accidentally rupture buried gas lines on construction sites, but the incidents are usually resolved without much fanfare. Today was not the case. Chattanooga Fire Department spokesperson Bruce Garner said it was shortly before 10 am Wednesday a construction crew accidentally broke into a buried natural gas line at the corner of Browns Ferry Road and Patten Chapel Road. The gas burst into flames, sending a jet of fire into the air. Fortunately, the workers were not injured, and as they cleared the scene they called 911. Chattanooga Fire Department Tactical Services Chief Danny Hague said the decision was made to close Browns Ferry Road and evacuate a nearby motel, America’s Best Value Inn and Suites. The fire was allowed to burn until technicians with the Chattanooga Gas Company could shut the gas off. Chief Hague said putting the fire out before the gas is shut off is even more dangerous, because the leaking gas can build up again and find another ignition source, resulting in another fire or even an explosion. Once on the scene, gas company technicians found a shut off valve and cut off the supply of gas. The fire quickly died out on its own at 10:47 a.m. When the fire first erupted, the flames burned through the electric service line going to a nearby business, Hood Van Lines. Live power lines presented an extra hazard for the firefighters until technicians with EPB arrived to cut power to the line. That line served an area down along Browns Ferry Road, so when the power was cut, it affected a number of homes and Lookout Valley public schools. EPB restored power to the area within a couple of hours. As the firefighters walked back to their fire trucks to clear the scene, onlookers spontaneously offered a round of applause to thank them for their efforts.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 08:12:07 +0000
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