Shoppers grabbing groceries and diners mid‑meal were hustled outside Tuesday after a construction machine clipped a natural gas line at NW 27th Street and Classen Boulevard in northwest Oklahoma City, forcing the evacuation of a supermarket and its attached restaurant. Fire crews quickly threw up a safety perimeter while utility teams worked to shut down the leak and keep an eye on gas readings in the area. Nearby streets were temporarily blocked off as first responders secured the scene.
According to KOCO, the trouble started when a skid steer struck a medium‑pressure natural gas line at the intersection of NW 27th and Classen. Oklahoma Natural Gas crews moved in to plug the breach while Oklahoma City Fire Department personnel handled scene control and checked for hazards.
How crews locked down the leak
Utility workers shut off the damaged section of pipe and tested the surrounding air for dangerous gas levels before anyone was allowed back inside nearby buildings. Per Oklahoma Natural Gas, anyone who smells gas should leave the area immediately, then call 911 and 800‑458‑4251 from a safe location. The utility also reminds contractors and homeowners to contact 811 before any digging to help avoid striking buried lines.
Road closures and business evacuations
Police and fire units temporarily shut down lanes around the intersection and urged drivers to find alternate routes while crews worked. Nearby businesses, including the supermarket and the adjoining restaurant, were cleared out as a precaution, according to KOCO, and responders stayed on scene until the line was made safe.
Keeping the shovels away from the pipes
Struck underground utility lines remain a stubbornly common problem on construction sites and during backyard projects, so utilities lean hard on line‑marking programs and public outreach to cut down on incidents. Oklahoma Natural Gas's "Be a Dig Hero" campaign urges residents to call 811 at least 48 hours before digging so crews can mark the ground and help keep heavy equipment away from hidden pipelines.
Officials had not immediately released additional details about any injuries or about when the affected businesses might reopen. We will update this story if authorities provide more information.
