A gas leak scare disrupted the flow of the midday bustle today in the La Mesa area when a construction crew accidentally struck a gas line. At approximately 1:32 p.m., the San Diego Fire Department (SDFD) raced to the 6500 block of Alvarado Road following reports of the natural gas emergency.
The first responders arrived to find the ruptured 2-inch pipeline, courtesy of excavation gone awry, SDG&E was immediately summoned to tackle the hazard. People in the vicinity were hustled away to safety as the area surrounding the leak was promptly evacuated. Meanwhile, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) shut down Alvarado Road to traffic in both eastern and western scene approaches to ensure public safety until the leak could be contained.
After nearly an hour of efforts to quell the invisible threat, SDG&E managed to get a handle on the situation, successfully stopping the leak. By 2:28 p.m. the SDPD had cleared the scene and reopened Alvarado Road, allowing the resumption of pedestrian and vehicular movement in the affected area. The incident was resolved without any report of injuries or fire, which could speak to the effectiveness of the response protocol.
A team of first responders, including five engines, a supporting agency, two battalion chiefs, a truck, and 26 personnel, were dedicated to managing the situation. Though a fire investigator was not assigned, the robust response indicated the serious nature of the event. In a show of regional solidarity, thanks were extended by the SDFD to neighboring cities La Mesa and El Cajon for their swift assistance amid the ordeal.
The public, seeking more information on the incident, has been directed to contact SDG&E for further insights into the gas leak and the subsequent emergency response. Official incident reports and updates are available through SDFD's incident information page.
