FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Emergency responders were dispatched at 1:53 p.m. on Jan 4. to respond to a gas leak near Bragg Boulevard and Bargain Street. The gas led to evacuations and road closures.
The 12-inch gas line, maintained by Piedmont Natural Gas, was hit by a North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) subcontractor.
“A subcontractor working for the general contractor Barnhill struck a natural gas line along Bragg Blvd. while doing work for a contract awarded by the NCDOT last year,” said Andrew Barksdale with the NCDOT.
Roads impacted because of the leak were Bragg Boulevard from Swain Street to Sycamore Dairy Road and Sycamore Dairy Road from Bragg Boulevard to Legend Avenue. Motorists were advised to avoid the area. As of now, Bragg Boulevard from Swain Street to Sycamore Dairy Road will remain closed possibly until midnight. Sycamore Dairy Road has been reopened.
People from local businesses and residents were evacuated from the area. Fayetteville Area System of Transit assisted with the evacuation efforts, transporting people to Westover Recreation Center. Cumberland County, American Red Cross and Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation worked together to set up an overnight shelter for those who were impacted by the leak.
“We want to ensure Fayetteville residents have a safe and secure community,” said Fayetteville spokesman Loren Bymer. “This collaborative effort between the Fayetteville Police and Fire Departments alongside the Red Cross and Cumberland County exemplifies what it means to be a ‘Can Do’ city.”
The evacuation order was lifted at approximately 1:30 p.m. in the area after the Fayetteville Fire Department conducted air monitoring.
Piedmont Natural Gas stopped the leak at 11:52 a.m. on Jan. 5.
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