Fresno homes evacuated when gas line breaks

The Fresno Bee

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. workers struck a gas line while working in northeast Fresno on Saturday night, prompting a late-night evacuation of a dozen nearby homes and a shopping center.

The crew hit a 4-inch plastic distribution line at Chestnut and Shepherd avenues around 11:30 p.m., said J.D. Guidi, a PG&E spokesman.

Residents first reported hearing gas blow as loud as a jet engine around 11:37 p.m. A strong gas odor also swept through the neighborhood.

A service crew arrived after midnight and had shut off the gas line at 3:52 a.m. Sunday, Guidi said.

Twelve houses and the Food 4 Less shopping center were evacuated as a precaution, Guidi said. Gas service to five homes was affected, he said.

The service crew was on site throughout Sunday repairing the line.