MORGANTOWN — More than a dozen businesses, several homes and an apartment complex were evacuated after a gas line at a construction site at the intersection of Maple Drive and Apple Lane was ruptured on Monday afternoon.
The break was caused by a third party contractor, Dominion Energy spokesperson Samantha Norris said. It’s unclear exactly what work was being done by the crew.
A loud hissing sound could clearly be heard from over 500 feet away, even over the traffic of W. Va. 705. The smell of gas was also prevalent downwind from the leak.
The evacuation began around 3:45 p.m. The all clear was given about 6:45 p.m., Norris said.
Law enforcement opened Maple Drive about 6 p.m., though it remained impassable while a Dominion Energy crew continued working on the pipe.
Norris said supervisors and technicians from Dominion Energy West Virginia were able to isolate the leak and make it safe.
Businesses at the new Donahue Plaza, along Mon General Drive, and every home and business on Maple Drive were evacuated.
Norris said an abundance of caution was exercised.
Also affected were three buildings belonging to Mon Health System. Emily Gallagher, spokesperson, said the hospital cooperated with officials and evacuated the Mon Health Medical Park.
Campus View Apartments were also evacuated, Monongalia County Sheriff’s Deputy C. Ruscello said.
The evacuation was handled by the Star City VFD, Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department and Morgantown Police Department.
Lt. S. Carl, of the MPD, said his department was asked to assist with evacuating Donahue Plaza and blocking the intersection of Donahue Drive and Maple Drive.
The Sheriff’s Department blocked the intersection of Maple Drive and Research Park Road and Maple Drive and Mon General Drive.
At least one person argued with a deputy over being allowed into the evacuated area to retrieve his dog. He was stopped, but was not arrested and left the area.
