San Diego
A backhoe ruptured a gas main in East San Diego Monday, forcing the evacuation of about 70 residents, authorities reported. The evacuees were allowed to return to their homes about an hour later. No injuries were reported.
The incident occurred about 11:15 a.m. when the backhoe hit a 1 1/2-inch line in an alley near 49th Street and El Cajon Boulevard, said Jim Langlais, a spokesman for San Diego Gas & Electric.
Residents were evacuated from a two-block area while firefighters took gas measurements.
“The danger is that the gas is flammable,” McDonald said. After about an hour, the released gas had dissipated, and residents were allowed to return to their homes.
Gas service was turned off to 100 customers, Langlais said. He said crews would be working throughout the night to repair the line.
Traffic was diverted from El Cajon Boulevard, Monroe and Trojan avenues, between 49th Street and Euclid Avenue, said Sgt. Jim Clear. Traffic was allowed back about 1:30 p.m.
The backhoe was being operated by a worker for Duarte & Baum, a Spring Valley company that is replacing sewer lines for the city of San Diego.
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