A construction crew struck a natural gas main at Massachusetts Maritime Academy on Thursday afternoon, abruptly clearing students and staff off campus while emergency crews moved in to secure the scene. Evacuees gathered on the academy's Parade Field as officials shut off gas service across the entire campus as a precaution. Classes were canceled for the rest of the day while utility crews assessed the damage and worked to isolate the line.
The line was reported to be a 4" natural gas main near the under-construction engineering building, and fire officials evacuated nearby Harrington Hall and the campus library as a precaution, according to CapeCod.com. Images from the academy's webcam and local coverage showed dozens of people clustered on the Parade Field while crews worked to isolate the leak.
Bourne Police later posted that natural gas service had been shut off to the campus and that there were no reported injuries or known off-campus impacts, per a post by the Bourne Police Department. The department asked the public to steer clear of the area while National Grid and local fire units handled the scene.
National Grid And The Emergency Response
Television crews reported National Grid workers were on site, and Sky5 footage showed students moving to staging areas as technicians worked to make the campus safe, as reported by WCVB. Officials said gas service would not be restored until pressure tests and leak checks were completed.
Digging Rules And Staying Out Of Trouble
Striking buried lines is a known hazard in construction, which is why Massachusetts requires anyone planning to dig to notify Dig Safe by calling 811 so utilities can mark out underground lines. Safety guidance also stresses leaving the area and calling 911 and the utility if you suspect a gas leak. Following those protocols helps prevent injuries and property damage, per DigSafe.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy did not immediately provide a timetable for reopening, and officials said they would post updates once the campus is deemed safe. Students and nearby residents are being urged to monitor official channels for the latest information.
