Authorities evacuated a pre-school on Main Avenue after a construction crew ruptured an underground gas line, police said.
The damage that resulted in a gas leak happened about 10 a.m. near Main and Del Monte avenues, according to Morgan Hill police Sgt. Troy Hoefling.
The broken gas line – a “small natural gas line” – closed West Main Avenue to vehicles while repairs were made, Hoefling said.
The rupture was about 1.75-inches in diameter, added Morgan Hill recreation supervisor Maureen Drewniany.
Construction crews operating heavy equipment to upgrade a water main on Main Avenue accidentally caused the damage, police said.
The crew called PG&E after they hit the gas line, and police and fire personnel responded, Drewniany said.
No residents were in immediate danger, but police evacuated the Learn & Play Day Care Center at 174 West Main Avenue. Twelve children and 3 adults were moved to Chase Bank per the day care’s evacuation plan, Drewniany said. Residents just west of daycare were also evacuated without incident.
Morgan Hill Police notified all residents within a one block radius of the rupture, according to city staff. Residents who were not required to evacuate were given the option of sheltering in place or leaving.
Main Avenue between Hale and Del Monte avenues was closed to traffic as PG&E worked to resolve the leak, according to Drewniany.
PG&E sealed the leak by 2:20 p.m., stopping the flow of gas, city staff said.
Police remind all residents of Morgan Hill that in the event of a gas leak or a gas odor that won’t go away, to immediately call 911 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.
