As of 2:30 p.m. Unitil gas technicians have visited all homes and businesses which lost gas service following Wednesday’s leak, either relighting the customer’s pilot light or leaving contact information to have service restored once the customer returns home.
Approximately 700 Unitil natural gas customers in the Fitchburg area were without service this morning following a leak at Westminster Street yesterday evening. Gas service was shut off to the area in order to make the area safe for repairs. Overnight, Unitil technicians went door to door to make sure all affected meters were turned off before repairs were completed. The line was re-gassed at approximately 6 a.m. and relights began at that time.
Customers who arrive home this afternoon or evening and are still without gas service are advised to call customer service at 888-301-7700. Gas techs are remaining in the neighborhood this afternoon and evening to address these relight requests as they come in.
Unitil takes a planned approach to restore natural gas service quickly and safely. To watch a brief, informative animation video of the restoration process for natural gas service please visit the Outage Center on Unitil’s website: http://www.unitil.com/restore.
“We’d like to thank all of our customers for their patience as we worked through this restoration effort,” Unitil Media Relations Manager Alec O’Meara said. “Crews worked around the clock to complete this door-to-door process in as efficient manner as possible, but we appreciate how customers have aided us as we work through the region.”
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 (866-542-3547), New Hampshire (866-900-4115) or Maine (866-900-4460).
