ABC27 WHTM Gas line explosion brings down home in Millersville

Gas line explosion brings down home in Millersville

Around noon Monday, Millersville residents smelled gas in their homes but couldn't figure out where it was coming from. Apparently a private contractor digging to bury fiber optic cables struck the gas line. Luckily, crews were able to evacuate the area minutes before an explosion.

"The gas built up in the property...found an ignition source and the property exploded and fell to the ground," said Duane Hagelgans, Blue Rock Fire Commissioner.

Crews are still trying to figure what caused the explosion at Schertzner Lane and George Street in downtown Millersville.  They believe a pilot light or a furnace kicking on might have triggered it.

"When we arrived on the scene we had high readings of natural gas out in the street here and in various homes and businesses," said Mike Fessler with UGI.

Their next move was to turn off the power and get gas levels back down to safe levels, so they had to vent the dangerous gas out of the area.

"Because there is so much gas built up under the street they actually drill into the street and they have fans that extract the gas out of the street from under the ground, so it doesn't go into the properties," said Hagelgans.

The building that exploded is The Framery, a small picture frame shop with an apartment above it. Two people lived there with their dog.  No one was home and fire crews got the dog out.

UGI crews worked throughout the night to repair the line and checked people's homes to make sure the gas was gone. 

The electric was restored to the evacuated area and people were allowed to return home.

There will be a detour at the intersection of Schertzner Lane and George Street.  The damaged building has to be torn down before the street can reopen to traffic.  They expect the intersection to be closed throughout the day Tuesday.