GAS RUPTURE BLOCKS CBD
GAS RUPTURE BLOCKS CBD
February 14, 2007
Section: News
A RUPTURED gas main resulted in Terralong Street being closed to traffic in the Kiama CBD last Wednesday.
The main was ruptured after excavation work being carried out by Carmine Pipelines caused the pungent gas odour to fill the Centrepoint Plaza area in Terralong Street.
Emergency services received the call at 8.51am and the gas main was turned off at 9.04am.
The road was closed from the pedestrian crossing opposite the Old Fire Station to the Collins Street roundabout.
Immediate action was needed to prevent an explosion, as Kiama Fire Brigade Captain Peter Mitchell explained.
"We closed the street as any car going past or a person with a cigarette could have sparked an explosion," he said.
"The little backhoe hit the gas main and the gas was dispersed within 30 minutes," Captain Mitchell said.
Police arrived on the scene to manage the traffic disruption that saw the road closed for close to one hour.
Gas service to Lakonia Coffee Lounge, Black Rock Cafe and House of Canton was cut.
The gas was turned back on at 11.25am and it is understood that the leak had no disruption to business.
