Gas line breach sparks evacuation in Clifton Heights

CLIFTON HEIGHTS >> PECO workers knocked on the door of Dolly DeVitis to let her know that her gas was being turned off. When she opened the door she saw fire trucks at the scene in the 300 block of East Berkley Avenue. DeVitis was not evacuated from her home nor was her neighbors in the residence next to hers.

Contractors struck a high-pressure 2-inch gas line at the curb. Residents were evacuated from their homes and a day care was emptied until PECO arrived

“Everyone was very cooperative and told us what was going on. Thank God no one was hurt. A gas line can be very dangerous,” said DeVitis.

Sixty children from Today’s Child Learning Center were evacuated to Clifton Heights Borough Hall. When PECO workers were on the scene and secured the line the children came back to the day care. A representative from the day care indicated that everything was back to normal.

PECO workers checked on DeVitis’ gas meter and said that her gas service would resume in a few hours as workers remained at the scene.

ANNE NEBORAK — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Contractors struck a highpressure 2-inch gas line at the curb on East Berkley Avenuein Clifton Heights. PECO was on hand to secure the line, shutting of service and evacuating residents until it was secured.