Major gas leak forces evacuations in Union City, New Jersey
UNION CITY, N.J. -- A major gas leak in Union City, New Jersey caused some residents to evacuate their homes.
Police, fire and utility crews responded to the scene at the intersection of Summit Avenue and 26th Street, where the gas line ruptured at around 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
Gas and debris spewed from the ground
Video from Chopper 2 showed a combination of natural gas and water shooting out of a hole in the ground at the intersection.
One woman said she saw the water spraying up, and then came the bad smell.
According to officials, Veolia Water contractors were doing routine work on a water main at Summit Avenue and 26th Street when they hit a large, 20-inch gas line. Multiple streets nearby were closed. Ten buildings had to be evacuated, including two schools.
Evacuated resident heard a loud rumble
"I heard a really loud kind of rumbling sound," Union City resident Joanna Becerra said. "About half an hour later, I get a knock on my door and it's a firefighter. He says, 'Sorry but we've got to evacuate your building. There's a gas leak outside and we're trying to contain it, but we need everybody out of this building right now. Go at least one block north and, until further notice, stay out of the building.' So, we went shopping."
The gas leak was plugged by PSE&G crews just before noon. Officials with Veolia Water said the gas line was mismarked by PSE&G, who they say is to blame for the incident. CBS New York has reached out to PSE&G for a response to that claim and we are waiting to hear back.
Fire officials said the dangerous situation could have been much worse.
"If something bad happened, some ignition, if something would have happened, it would have definitely been a problem," said North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Marc Franco.
Regional health officials and PSE&G crews were on the scene monitoring air quality levels. They eventually let people back into their homes.