Gas leak forces 30 to leave residences

10/1/2006

A Columbia Gas of Ohio pipeline in Rossford was struck by a third-party construction crew yesterday afternoon, causing natural gas to leak into the area. About 30 people were evacuated from their homes, authorities said.

The two-inch, high-pressure line on Glenwood Avenue south of Santus Drive near the railroad tracks was hit shortly after 1 p.m. yesterday by a crew with Ric-Man Construction, Inc., of Sterling Heights, Mich., while they were doing water line work for the city of Toledo, Rossford Fire Chief James Verbosky said.

After numerous unsuccessful attempts to reduce the pressure and cap the line, the gas was shut off about 9:10 p.m., Chief Verbosky said. About 200 residential and commercial customers were without gas service after the line was shut off. The majority of the customers were along Glenwood, and Superior Street in Rossford, with some customers on Miami Street in East Toledo affected, company spokesman Chris Kozak said.

Residents of the evacuated homes on Santus, Glenwood, and Indian Ridge Trail in the immediate area of the leak were housed in the Rossford Community Recreation Center.

Evacuated residents were allowed back into their homes about 10 p.m., the chief said. No injuries were reported.