San Francisco: Natural-gas leak closes downtown streets

[AsahinaKimi]

Emergency crews respond to a leak in a natural-gas line near Union Square in San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO -- A natural gas pipeline leak caused by a construction crew near Union Square Wednesday afternoon forced street closures, two building evacuations and a stay-inside order for guests at two hotels.

A contractor struck and punctured a 10-inch gas distribution line at Mason and Post streets at about 2:15 p.m. while cutting pavement. A Chronicle photographer who arrived on the scene shortly after the leak developed said gas appeared to be shooting about 25 feet in the air.

Joe Molica, a PG&E spokesman, said it took the company's crews 59 minutes to shut off the gas manually. About 70 customers lost natural gas service, which was expected to be restored Wednesday night.

Police blocked Post Street between Jones and Powell streets and Mason Street between Geary and Sutter streets while PG&E crews shut off the gas line and made repairs. The leak was repaired at about 5:15 p.m., and PG&E workers began repressurizing the line and going door to door to restore gas service to the affected customers, Molica said.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/21/BAMD1L7OU1.DTL#ixzz1Yfp9O2A5

[Possumpoint]

1. Why In The World

Was a natural gas pipe line that shallow? In my experience they usually have about 3'-4' of cover. Are PG&E procedures that far from the rest of the industry?

[AsahinaKimi]

2. Well you do remember that

Huge fire, explosion they had down south of San Francisco? Can you imagine that happening here in the city? Well, sounds like it nearly did.