One-block area evacuated after gas line cut

June 2, 2011 at 8:56 a.m. | Updated June 2, 2011 at 8:56 a.m.

Fulton Gas Department employees repair a 4-inch natural gas main that was cut accidentally at 10 a.m. Wednesday by a utility relocation firm hired by AT&T to relocate telephone lines. All nearby apartments and businesses were evacuated until the gas was shut off and the gas dissipated. The force of the escaping gas scattered dirt up onto the front of the duplex apartment building at 310 St. Louis Ave.
Fulton Gas Department employees repair a 4-inch natural gas main that was cut accidentally at 10 a.m. Wednesday by a utility relocation firm hired by AT&T to relocate telephone lines. All nearby apartments and businesses were evacuated until the gas was shut off and the gas dissipated. The force of the escaping gas scattered dirt up onto the front of the duplex apartment building at 310 St. Louis Ave.

Homes and businesses in a one-block area of Fulton were evacuated Wednesday after a workman operating a directional drill for a firm hired by AT&T to relocate copper telephone lines along St. Louis Avenue in Fulton accidentally cut a city-owned four-inch natural gas main.

Several apartment houses, residences and the Family Video business across the street were all evacuated shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday until the city was able to shut off the natural gas main and the gas had time to dissipate into the air.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.