Severed Gas Main Prompts Evacuation Of New Canaan YMCA: FD

NEW CANAAN, CT — Patrons, staff and children in the day care were all safely evacuated from the New Canaan Community YMCA after a gas main was damaged by a contractor Tuesday morning, according to fire officials.

In a news release, Fire Chief Albe Bassett said crews were called to the YMCA on South Avenue around 10 a.m. after receiving a report of a severed gas main into the building.

According to Bassett, the gas main was damaged by a contractor performing utility work on the outside of the building, who immediately notified YMCA staff and pulled the fire alarm.

All of the children in the day care, as well as YMCA patrons and staff, were safely evacuated to the parking lot, according to Bassett.

Crews used gas detection to ensure there were no unsafe areas of accumulated gas in the building or the neighborhood surrounding the property, Bassett said.

Eversource turned off the gas 45 minutes after the break. Patrons and staff were then allowed inside the building to retrieve personal items, according to Bassett.

The YMCA remained closed for the rest of the day, Bassett said.

"Remember not to ignore a fire alarm," Bassett said in a news release. "The timely evacuation allowed everyone to be placed in a safe area minutes after the incident happened."