South Bay Gas Leak Evacuations Expected To Be Lifted Thursday

By Jana Kadah, Bay City News Foundation

SAN JOSE, CA — An evacuation order in effect near downtown San Jose because of a natural gas leak is expected to be lifted early Thursday evening.

The order went into place Wednesday at 9:45 a.m. around Race Street and Park Avenue after an 8-inch natural gas line was struck by a third-party contractor, causing a leak. About 325 residences and businesses were evacuated, and the number of people impacted is unclear, San Jose Fire Department spokesperson Erica Ray said.

Investigations by the San Jose Fire Department and PG&E found that a third-party contractor, not affiliated with PG&E, struck the gas line with mechanical equipment when they should've been hand-digging within 2 feet of either side of the gas line.

According to both entities, the area that contractors were working in was properly marked to show that a pipeline was in that area. Using mechanical equipment in high-risk areas like that are prohibited because of the hazard posed if lines are hit.

PG&E remained on the scene overnight to try to stop the flow of gas, but because of the precarious configuration of the underground pipelines, PG&E had to take on a multi-pronged approach, Karly Hernandez, a spokesperson for the utility, said in an email.

The approach includes inserting plug-like devices into the line that was directly punctured by the contractor's equipment while also squeezing the plastic distribution pipe that connects to nearby customer homes.

"This allows for safe and expedient control of the gas," Hernandez said. "While we do this, we continue to vent gas safely into the air and monitor for the presence of gas around the area."

Because many had to evacuate their homes, the city opened an evacuation center at Bascom Community Center where residents can get information and seek shelter.

On Wednesday, 100 people utilized the evacuation center, San Jose fire officials said in a news release. Thirty-four residents received overnight accommodations with the support of the American Red Cross.

As of 11:30 a.m. Thursday, the small area surrounding the intersection of Race Street and Park Avenue remained closed to cars as PG&E continues restoration work. The area includes even and odd addresses from 153 to 245 Race St. and 212 Grand Ave. to 102 Park Ave., according to San Jose Fire.

The Bascom Community Center is also open for any residents in need of shelter.
San Jose firefighters and police said they will remain on the scene until the site is determined to be safe.

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