Workers rupture gas line in New Castle neighborhood

Staff report

new castle, pa.

Construction workers who were digging to install residential gas lines ruptured a 4-inch gas main, prompting an evacuation of 14 homes on three streets.

The accident occurred at 9:21 a.m. Friday, and by 1 p.m., residents were allowed to go back to their homes on Delaware and Fairmont streets and Hillcrest Avenue, said New Castle Assistant Fire Chief Tom Bulisco.

Bulisco said the rupture was loud.

“It sounded like a train, and there was a large release of natural gas,” he said.

“We were starting to get gas in a lot of the structures,” he said. Who got more gas buildup depended on which way the wind was blowing, he added.

Bulisco said Columbia Gas was repairing the line late Friday afternoon and would check each house for gas buildup before turning the gas back on.

Bulisco said the gas could have caused a major explosion.

He said an explosion of that magnitude could level entire city blocks.