Sanford gas line rupture forces hundreds of residents from homes

A ruptured gas line forced hundreds of Sanford residents out of their homes for hours Thursday morning and produced a fire visible for miles, according to the Seminole County Fire Department.

No injuries were reported as a result of the accident.

The rupture, which occurred in the area of Michigan Avenue and Nebraska Avenue near the Black Bear Wilderness area, was reported to the Seminole County Fire Department when residents began seeing fires in the area shortly before 1 a.m., said county spokeswoman Sharon Gregory.

The fire downed power lines and sparked small brush fires that were extinguished quickly, Gregory said Thursday afternoon.

Though homes in the area were not in immediate danger, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office issued a reverse 911 call warning residents to evacuate, Gregory said.

Seminole County, Sanford and Lake Mary Fire Departments deployed with 23 units and 41 personnel to put out brush fires in the area, SCFD reported.

Flames caused by the rupture were visible for miles early Thursday.

The gas line was shut down remotely by Florida Gas Transmission at about 2:35 a.m., Gregory said. Evacuated residents were allowed to return home at about 3:14 a.m.

Gas and power outages were reported in the area Thursday afternoon. Gregory said any resident experiencing power or gas outages should contact their utility provider.

The cause of the rupture is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline & Hazardous Material Safety Administration, Gregory said.