CONCORD — A construction crew hit a gas line Thursday, sparking a fire that forced authorities to close a portion of a street near a hospital and a high school.
The fire started about 10:25 a.m. near Grant Street and Frederick Street, according to social media posts from the Concord Police Department. The area remained closed at 12:30 p.m. because of the blaze.
Nobody was injured. The intersection is in front of John Muir Medical Center and about one-tenth of a mile from Mount Diablo High School. The construction site is across the street from the hospital.
⚠️ROAD CLOSURE / FIRE⚠️
GRANT STREET at FREDERICK STREET is closed. Construction crew hit a gas line which caught fire. CFD and CPD on scene. Please avoid the area. We will update when the roadway reopens. pic.twitter.com/iLH3mSom4h— Concord Police Dept. (@ConcordPD_CA) November 16, 2022
Contra Costa Fire Protection District spokesman Steve Hill said crews at the scene monitored the blaze until PG&E workers turned off the gas lines.
Initially, the fire sent flames high above the construction site, and a piece of construction equipment was damaged. The fire was was not causing high flames after 12:30 but was not extinguished. Hill said it was not in danger of spreading.
Electricity in the area remained off at 12:30. The fire was not threatening homes or businesses, and no evacuations were needed, police said.
Police said Grant Street would remain closed for many hours and did not have an estimate for when it would re-open.
Please check back for updates.
Source: www.mercurynews.com