10/07/2013 - Around 1100 hours on the fall morning of Monday, October 7, 2013 the Whitman Fire Department responded to the area of 246 South Avenue for a report of a natural gas main break that was called in by a police officer working a detail at the site. Engine-2, Car-3 and Car-1 responded. Car-1 signed off and reported that a high pressure 3" natural gas main had been struck by a work crew and was actively leaking. The release of natural gas was very loud and was traveling approximately 15 feet into the air from the site in the road. Whitman struck their box 55 for the incident, calling off duty personnel to the station and scene. When manpower was sufficient, Engine-3 and Ambulance-247 responded to the scene. An East Bridgewater engine company was called into the station for coverage during the incident. Whitman Engine-2 tied into a nearby hydrant and ran and charged a 3" hand line to a Blitz gun and stood by in position in the event of fire on the scene. Firefighters on the scene knocked on doors and evacuated several residents that were in the immediate area of the gas leak in the event of a fire or explosion. The leak was stopped by National Grid gas crews approximately an hour into the incident. No injuries were reported.
