Incident Media Release
Date of Incident: 02-11-09
Dispatch Time: 09:14
Type of Incident: Natural Gas Line Break
Location: In the area of 734 Capitola Road
Occupant/Owner of Property: Santa Cruz County
Brief Scenario of Incident: Central Fire was dispatched to a natural gas line break in the area of 734 Capitola Road between 7th Avenue and Grey Seal Road. The line was reported to be a 1 1/2" line near the median of the road. The 911 call had been made by a Santa Cruz City Water Department crew working in the area. Central Fire District personnel arrived on scene to find damaged line venting natural gas from a hole in the road between the east and westbound lanes. Traffic was blocked and diverted at 7th and Jose Avenues. Santa Cruz Metro buses were notified of the detour. The CHP was requested to respond to the scene for traffic control. Firefighters secured the area and deployed a charged fire hose line as a precaution. Residents in the vicinity were told by fire department personnel to stay in their homes until the scene was safe. A PG&E emergency crew was dispatched to the scene to secure the broken gas line. The first attempt to secure the line was unsuccessful. Another PG&E crew was called to the scene with a backhoe to dig another hole for better access to the pipe. With the second hole, the crew was able to clamp the gas line and stop the flow of natural gas. Firefighters were released from the scene. PG&E crews remained on scene to repair the broken line.
Injuries: N/A
Facilities: N/A
Total Time to Contain: 15 minutes
Total Time to Control: Approximately 2 hours
Number of CTL Units and Personnel: 1 engine; 1 truck; 2 Chief Officers; 7 Firefighters; 2 Fire Prevention Officers
Automatic Aid/Mutual Aid Used: 1 CHP Officer; PG&E emergency crew
Investigation Status: The cause of the damage appears to be accidental.
Prepared by: Mike DeMars, Public Information Officer