Residents return home after gas leak Residents return home after gas leak (April 08, 2005)

The accidental rupture of a gas line caused residents of 18 Mountain View homes to evacuate Monday afternoon and caused other residents in the area to shelter in place, fire officials report.

Around 3:45 p.m., a private contractor digging a fence-post hole at 1631 Dennis Lane accidentally cut into the natural gas line in the front yard of the residence.

Police closed off streets and residents of the 18 single-family homes decided to leave the area voluntarily as a precaution, according to Mountain View fire officials.

Those residents outside the immediate area of the leak, and those downwind of it, were advised to shelter in place while crews repaired the line.

Within 60 minutes, the area was declared safe and residents were allowed back into their homes.

No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported as a result of the incident, according to the fire department.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is planning to conduct an investigation into the April 4 incident. -- Bay City News

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