Updated 12:54 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A large gas line in the Logan section of Philadelphia was ruptured during construction Thursday morning, prompting nearby precautionary evacuations.
It was around 8:15 a.m. at 17th and Olney Avenue when officials say construction workers hit a 20-inch gas line that runs across that street. The impact, officials say, caused a six-inch crack in the main.
Lana, who lives nearby, says she was concerned the big boom she heard might've been an explosion.
“And I am frightened by something like this," she said. "And our window is right there, so many things are going through my heart.”
Fortunately, that wasn't the case. Philadelphia Fire Executive Officer Daniel McCarty says the cloud of smoke that filled the streets ended up being active gas seeping from the point of impact.
"Luckily it could have been a situation when any type of incendiary device or combustible device could have made this a lot worse," he said. "But again, that didn’t happen.”
As crews with the Philadelphia Gas Works worked to stop the flow of gas and control the situation, fire crews helped evacuate almost 3,000 people from Central High School, some buildings at LaSalle University, and an adjacent high-rise apartment as a precaution. There were no reports of injuries or fires, and around 10:20 a.m., fire officials placed the situation under control and people could go back home or to school.
PGW crews stayed on the scene and Emergency Management officials continued to make sure the air was safe.
Several road closures are in effect, including:
— 16th Street and Olney Avenue
— 20th Street and Olney Avenue