The State - News from Nov. 2, 1987

Halloween vandals were blamed for shutting off the gas main in the small town of Orland, forcing Pacific Gas & Electric Co. crews to turn off service to 2,500 households and businesses while the line was repressurized, authorities said. The entire town of 4,500 was without gas for heating, cooking, hot water or other gas-powered services, PG&E; spokesman Dick Davin said. Davin said the lengthy repair process entailed contacting each customer and shutting off service at homes and businesses while the line was repressurized. Once service was restored on the main line, he said, supply lines had to be reopened at each customer site. “I wouldn’t call them pranksters. I would call them vandals,” Davin said of the person or people responsible. “This is serious. It’s a big job to get (service restored to) all those customers.” The incident was under investigation by the Sheriff’s Department.