Ruptured Medfield Gas Line Shoots Flames Into Air
MEDFIELD (CBS) – A ruptured gas line sent flames shooting into the air and caused traffic delays in Medfield on Wednesday afternoon.
Flames were shooting from the gas main on South Street at Philip Street around 4 p.m. after crews working in the area hit the line.
Authorities evacuated about a dozen homes and all after school activities at nearby Medfield High School were canceled. A volleyball match was moved to Millis High School.
High school senior Emily Piersiak was playing field hockey when she and teammates heard the line rupture.
"It was kind of like a loud whooshing sound," she told WBZ-TV's Ryan Kath.
The players left the field as a precaution and found out the game was postponed. During the return home, Piersiak and her dad saw the flames bursting from the sidewalk.
She took out her phone, shot a video, and posted it on Twitter.
"It was just amazing. The flames were shooting up to the wires," Piersiak said. "I couldn't feel the heat, but you could see it rolling off in waves. It was pretty crazy."
The flames ended up melting some of the power lines. But first responders reported no injuries or damage to homes.
"It went as well as it could go," said Medfield Police Chief Robert Meaney. "It was very impressive, and quite concerning. I hadn't seen anything like that before."
The leak occurred right in front of Ruth Senger's home. She heard the hissing sound and then smelled the gas.
"And the firemen were banging on my door and telling me to 'Get out!'" she said. "As I was driving away, it erupted. I was scared my house was going to burn."
Utility crews from Columbia Gas worked late into the night to repair the gas line and went home to home to restore service.
As of 4:30 a.m. Thursday, police told WBZ-TV all utilities had been restored and the street was re-opened to traffic.