BGE Crews Tending Gas Main Leak Behind Kmart

Update (3:43 p.m.)—A Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) spokeswoman said crews are in the process of assessing the damage and turning off the gas main leak between Kmart and the South River Colony. 

Rachael Lighty said eight BGE customers were affected by the incident, but depending on the size and damage of the leak, that number could change. 

Power to the South River Colony was shut off while BGE crews tended to the gas main leak around 2:30 p.m. Monday, according to Joe McGovern, owner of in the shopping center. The BGE spokeswoman said the power was most likely turned off at nearby shops because the leak was close to a BGE transformer. 

However, both Lighty and Anne Arundel County firefighters on the scene said power should be restored relatively soon.

"I can't imagine they'll be out of electrical service for long," Lighty said. 

Firefighters said power could be restored around 5 p.m., McGovern told Patch at about 3:35 p.m.

After arriving on the scene for a report of a gas leak around 1 p.m., firefighters contacted BGE, who arrived with work crews around 1:15 p.m., Lighty said. More than 20 fire department personnel stood by at the scene while BGE workers looked for the leak, said Anne Arundel County Fire Department Lt. Cliff Kooser.

With the hope that his restaurant will have power soon, Mcgovern said he doesn't plan on closing despite the incident. Other shops in the area have remained open throughout the day as well. 

"If we open the back door we smell something, but we're fine," said Joe Valentino, owner and manager of , located just a few shops down from Stan & Joe's.