Flames Shoot Out After Construction Worker Hits Gas Line In Old City
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Crews responded to an underground fire in Philadelphia's Old City on Thursday morning.
The fire broke out around 9 a.m. on Thursday near 4th and Race Streets after construction crews reportedly struck an old one inch service line.
The contact sparked a small fire in the street. However, it was not a main gas line, but a service line connected from the main line to a singular building.
"It looked like the flame was maybe three feet wide," recalled Jack Jambo, a resident of the area.
About two dozen residents were evacuated, although no fire reached any of the structures.
The 300 and 400 blocks of Race Street were shut down as of 9 a.m. and traffic was backed up on the Ben Franklin Bridge as well as in Old City.
"The gas company checked the lines, secured the basements of all the buildings on the block to see whether or not there was any migration of gas, with negative results," said Eric Fleming, of PIO. "They got the all-clear to go cap the lines."
There were not any injuries or property damage. The people evacuated from the building were able to return this afternoon.
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