Approximately 300 Unitil natural gas customers are without gas service following a reported hit gas line on South Broadway in Salem, New Hampshire, earlier this morning. Preliminary reports indicate the gas line was damaged at approximately 9:20 a.m. as the result of work by a third party. Gas service was shut off to the area at approximately 11:30 AM in order to make the area safe and begin repairs.
"Safety is our top priority, and we will work quickly and efficiently with first responders in the area to restore service to our customers."
Alec O’Meara, Media Relations Manager
Restoration to the affected customers will take the following steps:
- Unitil technicians will go door to door to make sure all affected meters are turned off.
- All needed repairs will be made.
- Each meter is then turned back on manually to assure the safety of the customer.
Following repairs, gas service technicians will begin going to all impacted houses and businesses to re-light their gas service. That manual restoration process could extend into the overnight hours so affected customers should be aware that they will need to be home to provide the technician access to re-light their gas service.
"Additional gas service technicians have been brought in from our operations in Maine and Massachusetts in order to assist with the restoration process. Safety is our top priority, and we will work quickly and efficiently with first responders in the area to restore service to our customers," said Unitil Media Relations Manager Alec O’Meara.
Natural gas leaks are usually recognized by smell, sight or sound. DO NOT use a lighter, use telephones, switch on/off appliances, light fixtures or even a flashlight in any area where you smell gas. These items can produce sparks that might ignite the gas and cause an explosion. AGAIN, if you suspect a natural gas leak, immediately move to a safe environment and call 911 or Unitil at its gas leak numbers in Massachusetts (888-301-7700), New Hampshire (866-900-4115) or Maine (866-900-4460).
Unitil will provide regular updates to local media outlets regarding restoration progress.
