Natural Gas Leak Forces Evacuation in Clarion

Jake Bauer

Jake Bauer

Published September 10, 2014 8:00 pm
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gas-leak-1CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – A natural gas leak at a construction site in Clarion Borough forced officials to evacuate several businesses and some residences earlier today.

Photos by Dave Cyphert.

According to Clarion County 911, the incident happened around 10:37 a.m. when workers ruptured a medium-pressure plastic gas line at a construction site along Route 322 on Clarion University property.

Officials evacuated several occupancies between the area of the intersection of Main Street and 8th Avenue to just east of the construction site.

According to an alert sent to Clarion University students and employees, the gas leak extended to Carrier Administration Building and Still Hall. Service was shut off in the two Clarion University buildings while repairs are being made.

University employees who work in Carrier Administration Building and Still Hall have been told to go home for the day. Classes in Still Hall have been cancelled and are scheduled to resume tomorrow.

At 12:45 p.m., National Fuel Gas Company spokesperson Sandra James told exploreClarion.com, “The situation is under control and considered safe.”

National Fuel Gas Company says the leak was fully repaired by 3:20 p.m.

Photo by Dave Cyphert.

Photo by Dave Cyphert.

The incident prompted officials to close Route 322 from 8th Avenue to South Sheridan Road for more than 2 hours.

No injuries were reported.

Clarion Fire & Hose Company No. 1, Clarion Borough Police, Clarion University Security, and Clarion University Police were also dispatched to the scene.

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