Updated: Sink Hole Opens In Moraga When Gas Line Ruptures

UPDATE 11:55AM MONDAY-

MORAGA - A main Moraga thoroughfare will remain closed until at least later this week as city employees work to repair a sinkhole that was reported Sunday.

PG&E has also pulled resources to restore gas service that was lost after a traffic signal pole fell into the sinkhole and ruptured a gas line, utility officials said.

A report about the sinkhole was first received by police at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Rheem Boulevard and Center Street, adjacent to Moraga Road, acting police Chief Jon King said.

The 4-inch gas line was ruptured at about 5 p.m. when the surface around the sinkhole gave way and the traffic signal pole dropped in, King said.

Residents of up to 100 nearby homes were asked to shelter in place as PG&E crews responded to stop the flow of gas. About 450 people from nearby businesses were also evacuated because of the break, which was producing a strong odor in the area.

Although gas is no longer escaping from the ruptured line, the immediate area is still cordoned off, King said.

The shelter in place order was lifted at about 3 a.m. Monday.

King said for at least three to four days, Rheem Boulevard at Center Street will remain closed as city engineering and construction crews work to assess the sinkhole's damage and work to repair it.

The city is working in concert with PG&E since 2,500 of the utility's customers in Moraga remain without gas service due to the rupture.

PG&E spokesman Nick Stimmel said the utility will have more than 200 employees working throughout the day to restore service.

Stimmel said the utility crews will be shutting off individual meters in order to flush the gas line. Afterward, those customers without service will have their pilot lights re-lighted. There was no estimate provided for when the work will be complete.

Moraga police this morning advised residents that the utility's employees will be going door-to-door to the homes of PG&E customers, and that they should be easily identifiable by their uniform and employee ID.

Residents with questions about someone who is contacting them are asked to call Moraga police at (925) 284-5010.

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(original story)

MORAGA - Moraga police said residents of 60 to 100 homes were asked to shelter in place as PG&E crews repaired a gas main break Sunday night.

The break occurred at 5 p.m. at Center Street and Rheem Boulevard after a traffic signal pole fell into a sinkhole and ruptured a gas line, Acting Police Chief Jon King said.

About 450 people from nearby businesses have been evacuated because of the break, which was producing a strong odor in the area.

About 2:30 p.m., police received a report of a possible sinkhole at Center Street and Rheem Boulevard, adjacent to Moraga Road.

Police cordoned off the area and realized a traffic signal pole might fall into the sinkhole.

As expected "the surface gave way and the pole dropped in" and ruptured what appeared to be a 4-inch gas line, King said.

Customers of the Rheem Theater, 24 Hour Fitness and other businesses in the area were evacuated, according to police.

-Bay City News, images via Moraga-Orinda Fire District FB page