TheCableVine
June 7th, 2008, 03:33 AM
connpost.com (http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_9494997)
TRUMBULL — Thousands of shoppers and workers at the Westfield Trumbull mall were evacuated Thursday when a construction accident broke a gas main outside the construction site of a Target department store.
About 2,500 to 3,000 people were in the shopping complex when the incident was reported at 11:52 a.m., officials said.
There were no reports of injuries.
Authorities blocked off the upper and lower decks of the parking area behind the Target structure, which is scheduled to open this fall.
Motorists parked in that section of the garage were barred from the area as a precaution. The move was designed to prevent ignition of any pockets of gas until crews from Southern Connecticut Gas Co. arrived to shut off gas lines and give clearance.
Many shoppers parked elsewhere immediately headed for their cars and left, as did others arriving for lunchtime. The exodus caused a midday traffic jam.
Alex Rauso, the assistant chief of the Long Hill Fire Department, said construction crews were drilling for installation of bollards when the gas main break occurred.
"It's a big six-inch line," said Rauso, who added that a rumbling noise wasn't a truck, but the sound of escaping gas.
The Trumbull Center and Nichols fire departments were also in the deployment of four engine companies and one ladder company at the scene.
The name of the contractor was not immediately available.
Gas company spokesman John Dobos said identifying which gas lines to shut off was challenging because the mall has been built in stages, and the company didn't want to affect other customers unnecessarily. An all-clear was given at 1:11 p.m., but Dobos said that repairs to the broken gas line would stretch later into the afternoon.
Authorities said the potential emergency was eased because of a gentle breeze blowing away from the construction site, helping to dissipate any vapors.
The mild conditions also helped stranded shoppers weather the wait outdoors.
"I heard the siren — I figured it was a fire," said Julie Bernaski, a Macy's bag clutched in her hand, as she watched Rauso and Nichols Fire Chief Shawn Rice direct the emergency response from behind a yellow tape on the southern side of the mall.
Bernaski said she wasn't in a particular hurry. "When you're a senior your time is your own," she said.
Dobos said there would be an investigation to determine whether the contractor had proper clearance from the gas company before working near its lines.
TRUMBULL — Thousands of shoppers and workers at the Westfield Trumbull mall were evacuated Thursday when a construction accident broke a gas main outside the construction site of a Target department store.
About 2,500 to 3,000 people were in the shopping complex when the incident was reported at 11:52 a.m., officials said.
There were no reports of injuries.
Authorities blocked off the upper and lower decks of the parking area behind the Target structure, which is scheduled to open this fall.
Motorists parked in that section of the garage were barred from the area as a precaution. The move was designed to prevent ignition of any pockets of gas until crews from Southern Connecticut Gas Co. arrived to shut off gas lines and give clearance.
Many shoppers parked elsewhere immediately headed for their cars and left, as did others arriving for lunchtime. The exodus caused a midday traffic jam.
Alex Rauso, the assistant chief of the Long Hill Fire Department, said construction crews were drilling for installation of bollards when the gas main break occurred.
"It's a big six-inch line," said Rauso, who added that a rumbling noise wasn't a truck, but the sound of escaping gas.
The Trumbull Center and Nichols fire departments were also in the deployment of four engine companies and one ladder company at the scene.
The name of the contractor was not immediately available.
Gas company spokesman John Dobos said identifying which gas lines to shut off was challenging because the mall has been built in stages, and the company didn't want to affect other customers unnecessarily. An all-clear was given at 1:11 p.m., but Dobos said that repairs to the broken gas line would stretch later into the afternoon.
Authorities said the potential emergency was eased because of a gentle breeze blowing away from the construction site, helping to dissipate any vapors.
The mild conditions also helped stranded shoppers weather the wait outdoors.
"I heard the siren — I figured it was a fire," said Julie Bernaski, a Macy's bag clutched in her hand, as she watched Rauso and Nichols Fire Chief Shawn Rice direct the emergency response from behind a yellow tape on the southern side of the mall.
Bernaski said she wasn't in a particular hurry. "When you're a senior your time is your own," she said.
Dobos said there would be an investigation to determine whether the contractor had proper clearance from the gas company before working near its lines.