- Address: 229 Putnam St
- Dispatch: 3 a.m.
- Under Control: 5 a.m.
- Resources: Engines 6,2,11,5 Trucks 1,6 Rescue 1 Battalion Chief 1
MANCHESTER, NH – Residents were evacuated from their apartment building early Saturday morning after a mishap with a sidewalk snowblower caused a major gas leak.
At about 3 a.m. a sidewalk snow blower struck a gas meter in front of 229 Putnanm St. The sheared off meter damaged a high-pressure two inch gas main creating a major leak against the building.
First responders immediately began checking the environment in the building and evacuating approximately 16 people from the building, 12 adults and 4 children. They were initially put into fire apparatus and police cruisers due to the extremely low temperatures.
A bus was requested from Manchester Transit Authority, before the bus accommodations could be made the Alpine Club on Putnam Street opened their doors and was used as a temporary shelter for the people evacuated. A bus was requested from Manchester Transit Authority but before the bus accommodations could be made the Alpine Club on Putnam Street opened their doors and was used as a temporary shelter for the people evacuated.
The evacuees were temporarily housed at the Alpine Club on Putnam St.
Liberty Utilities was able to access the shutoff in the street and stop the flow of gas. Scene turned over to the PD and Liberty Utilities.
- Civilian Injuries: 0
- Emergency Service Injuries: 0
- Special Circumstances: Extreme cold and snow around the meter
- Fire Cause: NA
- Estimated Dollar Loss: $NA
- Incident Commander: Battalion Chief Chief Robert Plantier
Jeffrey Hastings contributed to this report.