Charlotte Fire Department

On August 13^th, 2010 at 3:23 p.m. (4) companies of Charlotte Firefighters, (1) Hazardous Materials Response Teams, and (1) Battalion Chief responded to reports of an odor of natural gas in the 1700 block of Chinchester Lane in southeast Charlotte. Firefighters from nearby Station 9 arrived minutes later and confirmed a strong odor of Methane gas effusing from a sewage manhole. Firefighters immediately requested additional resources and made haste to evacuate the immediate area.

Initially, eleven homes, which accounted for 27 residents were evacuated while the hazardous materials response team worked to identify the source of the gas leak. Because of a heat index exceeding 100 degrees, public transportation buses were brought to the scene to provide shelter for the displaced residents. Further air monitoring revealed dangerous and potentially explosive levels of Methane gas stretching across approximately 300 feet of municipal sewer line.

Reverse 911 and social media were used to notify residents of the evacuation which now affected 40 homes. Firefighters removed manhole covers to allow gas to escape from the confined space while the hazardous materials response team and utility crews worked diligently to locate and control the leak. After taking exhaustive measures to locate the source of the leak, utility crews located a valve and interrupted gas service for the entire street. The hazardous materials team and utility crews ventilated the sewer system and rendered the area safe for residents to return to their homes. It was later determined that the gas line was ruptured by utility crews contracted to clean the sewer and had gone undetected until residents noticed the odor.

Stay Alert, Stay Safe, Stay Alive,

Mark Basnight | Captain

Public Affairs Officer

Charlotte Fire Department