Fayetteville Today

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Emergency responders were dispatched on Jan 4. to a gas leak near Bragg Boulevard and Bargain Street, resulting in evacuations and road closures. The gas leak occurred when a subcontractor working for the general contractor Barnhill hit a natural gas line along Bragg Blvd. while doing work for a contract awarded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).

According to Andrew Barksdale with the NCDOT, "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."

The impacted roads included 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. While Sycamore Dairy Road has been reopened, Bragg Boulevard from Swain Street to Sycamore Dairy Road is expected to remain closed until midnight.

In response to the gas leak, local businesses and residents were evacuated from the area. The 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 affected by the leak.

Loren Bymer, a spokesman for Fayetteville, emphasized the city's commitment to safety, stating, "We want to ensure Fayetteville residents have a safe and secure community. 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 after the Fayetteville Fire Department conducted air monitoring. Piedmont Natural Gas was able to stop the leak on Jan. 5 at 11:52 a.m.

The swift response by emergency responders and the collaborative efforts of various organizations helped to mitigate the impact of the gas leak in Fayetteville. The city's commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents was evident in the evacuation efforts and the establishment of an overnight shelter. With the leak now contained, residents can return to their normal routines knowing that their community is secure.

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