A natural gas line allegedly ruptured by a contractor's tools sent flames shooting high into the sky in a Fox Chapel residential neighborhood Wednesday morning, but contrary to initial calls, the fire didn't threaten a house, officials said.
It was the second ruptured gas line in the Alle-Kiski Valley within 12 hours.
No one was injured in either incident, and state officials said they are checking to see if the contractors called PA One Call before digging in areas with utilities.
Fox Chapel Fire Capt. Dave Schaffner said a contractor working for a homeowner was using a powered trencher when he apparently hit a gas line leading to 107 Mayflower Drive.
"No one was hurt and there was no evacuation," said police Chief David M. Laux.
Schaffner said he was on his way to work about 8:30 a.m. and was near the gas line break off Dorseyville Road when he heard the 911 alarm.
"The first calls said the fire was near a house. It wasn't," Schaffner said. "It was 20 to 25 feet away and didn't threaten the house."
Schaffner and Laux said the flames shot 10 to 15 feet into the air until fire crews could find a shut-off valve.
"When we turned the gas off, the fire went out. Just like that," Schaffner said.
On Tuesday night in Harmar, an Equitable Gas contractor ruptured a gas line off Freeport Road at about 9:20, officials said.
Officials evacuated several stores. Traffic was diverted until repairs were made about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Equitable Gas spokesman Scott Waitlevertch said a contractor bumped into a service line leading to the Comfort Inn from a 20-inch main line.
In June, Equitable started to replace about 2,500 feet of main line along Freeport Road and the work is continuing through August. Waitlevertch said.
The work continues to cause some delays along Freeport Road.
The state's Department of Labor investigates possible violations of the One Call law. It can assess penalties from $1,000 to $10,000. The fine depends on whether One Call was alerted, on the amount of damage, if anyone was threatened or inconvenienced, and other factors.
"All contractors are required to call in before they dig and have the utilities mark their lines," spokesman Troy Thompson said.
"We are aware of the Fox Chapel fire and have sent an investigator. The other investigation is pending," he said Wednesday.
It's unclear if the two contractors called the One Call number before digging.
Contractors and utilities have 10 days to report fires, gas line breaks or other problems.
"When they call the One Call, they get a confirmation number. If there's a problem, they are asked to put that number on the form," Thompson said.
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