San José firefighters and utility crews rushed to the 70 block of Essendon Way today after an underground gas line was struck, triggering an emergency response and street closures in the neighborhood. PG&E teams worked alongside first responders while officials urged nearby residents to steer clear of the area. The affected stretch of road ran along Essendon Way between Avenida Espana and Middlebury Way, with traffic diverted onto surrounding residential streets.
According to the San José Fire Department, crews were handling an "active gas leak" on the 70 block of Essendon Way and asked the public to avoid the area. The alert listed a time of call of 9:48 a.m. and noted that PG&E was on scene working on the damaged underground line. At the time of the message, officials had not released further details on the cause of the incident or reported any information about injuries.
#SJFD is responding to an active gas leak on the 70 block of Essendon Way. Underground gas line was struck. PG&E is on scene. Traffic is impacted on Essendon Way between Avenida Espana and Middlebury Way. Please avoid the area.
— San José Fire Dept. (@SJFD) January 29, 2026
TOC: 9:48am pic.twitter.com/y453wzSNmZ
Traffic Snarled Near Avenida Espana And Middlebury Way
Emergency crews blocked off the immediate area and redirected drivers to alternate routes while repairs were underway. Struck underground lines in San José have previously led to lengthy closures as crews isolate and fix damaged pipes, with an earlier incident on Capitol Expressway prompting a similar multi-hour response by PG&E and fire units. Anyone traveling through the neighborhood should plan for delays until safety checks are complete and normal traffic patterns resume.
Safety Steps And What To Do
If you smell gas or notice other signs of a leak, leave the area right away and call 9-1-1, then report the situation to PG&E at 1-800-743-5000, in line with PG&E safety guidance. The utility warns against using cell phones, starting vehicles, or flipping electrical switches near a suspected leak, since even a small spark could ignite escaping gas. Stay away until first responders or PG&E technicians say the area is safe to return.
What Officials Still Need To Confirm
As of publication time, city and utility officials had not provided a clear timeline for when the roadway would fully reopen or shared details about what caused the gas line to be struck. The San José Fire Department's social media alert remains the primary official notice available, with further updates expected from SJFD and PG&E once repairs are finished. Neighbors with urgent safety concerns are advised to monitor official channels for emergency information and any shelter or evacuation instructions.
