July 16, 2003

PRESS RELEASE
To: Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian A. Crawford, Asst. to the Fire Chief
Phone: 673-6652, cell: 455-2411, page: 675-2137

Major Gas Line Rupture Force Evacuation

A major gas line rupture forced the closure of one of Shreveport busiest intersections and the evacuation of a half-dozen homes in the Highland neighborhood this early afternoon . .

Shreveport Water Department workers operating heavy equipment in the 3100 block of Creswell Avenue broke through what is considered a main high volume, high pressure gas line around 11:30 p.m. Fire department officials, Shreveport police and Center Point Energy were all on the scene within a matter of minutes of the report of the leak, which could be heard and smelled as far away as a quarter-mile.

Area residence were evacuated as a safety precaution until Center Point workers could shut off the gas flow to what was described as a "two way feed line." The city workers hit the line directly below where a heavy piece of equipment was digging, causing more problems in reaching the actual leak. Center Point estimates that the leak could be fixed in two to three hours but some residence and area businesses may be without gas service until the line can be replaced.

Traffic to the area was also brought to a halt when high gas readings were detected by fire officials at the intersection of Kings Highway and Creswell. All four lanes of Kings Highway have been closed at Line Avenue to Gilbert. Creswell Avenue is closed at Rutherford to Gladstone. Once the leak is fixed, area residence will be allowed to return to their homes and traffic will resume. No injuries were reported. ###