East County News Service
September 15, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- At 9:20 a.m., Heartland Fire & Rescue crews were dispatched to a report of a natural gas line break in the 7700 Block of North Avenue. Upon arrival, firefighters determined that a 2” gas line had been severed by construction crews who were using an excavator to dig a trench.
Fire crews immediately notified the Metropolitan Transit System to stop trolley service due to the close proximity of the trolley line, and to reduce the risk of an ignition source for the natural gas. Fire crews immediately cleared the area of construction workers and nearby citizens as well. Residents in the adjacent apartment complex were notified to shelter in place until the gas leak was controlled.
San Diego Gas & Electric was successful in shutting off the broken gas line. Once the leak was under control, the trolley resumed normal operations.