Gas Main Leak on Oak St. Causes Resident Evacuation

Police and fire went door-to-door evacuating residents at the Oak Manor apartment complex and neighboring homes on Oak Street near the Art Institute after a gas line was struck at around 10:30 a.m Thursday by a Ridgewood Water crew working on fire hydrant lines near the sidewalk.

The crew struck an unmarked plastic gas line, releasing natural gas, which could be smelt around the area, causing residents to be transported to Village Hall, Police Chief John Ward confirmed.

Fewer than 50 residents had to be evacuated by van, Ward said, and they were taken to a room on the first floor, where food and drink was provided for. There was cake too, a holdover from Chief Ward's swearing in ceremony party.

Ridgewood Water called PSE&G at approximately 10 a.m. to seal the unmarked, ruptured gas line. One worker for Ridgewood Water was injured tending to the line, though his injuries were not life threatening, Ridgewood Water authorities said. The worker declined to be treated at a hospital.

Residents were allowed to return at around 12:30, after the line was sealed off by PSE&G workers.

Oak was closed off between E. Glen and Mastin Place for approximately two hours, but a section remained closed while crews continued to work on the line, police said.