Businesses Evacuated For Gas Line Break In Springs
Two restaurants were evacuated after a gas line break in southwest Colorado Springs Monday morning.
It happened just before 10 a.m. near the intersection of Lake and Southgate roads.
Employees at On the Border and Red Robin restaurants were evacuated, according to firefighters.
A one to two inch line was hit — closing the intersection of Southgate and Montrose roads.
The gas line was clamped off around 10:15 a.m. and employees were able to return to work by 11 a.m.
According to Colorado Springs Utilities, anyone who digs is supposed to call 811 to notify utilities to crews can locate and mark any gas line in the area. However, spokesman Dave Grossman said it is not an exact science.
“We do our best to mark as close as possible. We do say not to dig with large equipment within 18 inches of the mark. It’s best to hand dig close by,” said Grossman.
Even still, accidents do happen.
“To have a couple gas lines hit isn’t out of the norm. We actually have seen a decrease in the last few years in the number of gas lines hit,” he said.
One reason is the economy, there has not been a lot of projects over the past couple years. Another reason is the community is more aware of calling 811 and learning how to dig more carefully, according to Grossman.
Grossman said if a company or homeowner does not call 811 before digging and a gas line is hit, the company or person is responsible for any damages done.
