UPDATE: Contractor on Backhoe Ruptured 2-Inch Gas Line in Banning

Update 3:51 p.m. Eight residences were without gas Monday afternoon due to a natural gas line rupture near West Lincoln and South 22nd streets in Banning, a Southern California Gas Company spokesman said.

The break on a 2-inch diameter line was caused by a third-party contractor using a backhoe machine, Javier Mendoza of Southern California Gas Company said in a phone interview.

"So Cal Gas crews are on the scene and working to repair the break and restore service to the affected the residences," Mendoza said around 3:45 p.m. "So Cal Gas expects the repairs will be completed this afternoon."

Mendoza reminded residents and businesses they can call 8-1-1 toll free to have utility-owned lines marked before digging at construction sites.

"Calling 8-1-1 will help avoid possible injury or damage to hidden gas lines or service interruptions," Mendoza said. "The safety of our customers, community and employees is top priority for all of us at So Cal Gas."

Update 3:21 p.m. A natural gas leak at West Lincoln and South 22nd streets in Banning was "mitigated" as of 3:14 p.m., according to Cal fire.

Southern California Gas Company workers were to remain at the scene until repairs were completed, Cal Fire-Riverside County officials said in an update.

Posted 2:41 p.m. Firefighters were on standby at the scene of a reported natural gas leak Monday afternoon at West Lincoln and South 22nd streets in Banning, a Cal Fire spokeswoman said.

The leak was reported at 12:55 p.m. and Southern California Gas Co. workers were called out, Jody Hagemann of Cal Fire-Riverside County said in a phone interview.

Cal Fire described the incident as "Fire Menace Standby - Natural Gas Line Rupture."

No evacuations had been ordered in the vicinity of the reported leak, Hagemann said.

Southern California Gas officials were not immediately available to comment. Stay with Banning-Beaumont Patch for more on this developing story.

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