Ball of fire shoots from gas line in Bethel Park; worker injured

BETHEL PARK, Pa. — A gas line was struck by a contractor, sending a ball of fire into the air early Wednesday morning in Bethel Park.

PHOTOS: Ball of fire shoots from gas line in Bethel Park

Officials said the gas line was hit about 2 a.m. while the contractor, Golden Triangle Construction, was working to relocate a Pennsylvania American Water line on Clifton Road.

One worker was injured and taken to a hospital. Officials said the injuries are not believed to be serious.

Police said one resident in the area was evacuated. Residents on Timberidge Drive were told to shelter in place while the Bethel Park and South Park fire departments worked to stabilize the situation.

“I guess I got really lucky because, thank God, because I never heard any of that. We were safe, my kids were safe and that's all that matters,” neighbor Bridget Burke said.

Columbia Gas crews responded to the scene and shut the gas off about 4 a.m., officials said.

While crews work to fix the gas line, 23 Columbia Gas customers are without service. Repairs are expected to be completed between early and mid-afternoon.

An Allegheny County fire marshal is investigating what caused the gas line to catch fire. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also investigating the accident.

Clifton Road is closed between Library Road and Airedale Drive.

Library Road was closed between Berryman Avenue and Churchill Road but reopened shortly before 5:30 a.m.

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