Westmoreland Co. Farmer Cutting Hay Hits Gas Line, Prompts Evacuations

SOUTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – A ruptured gas line prompted a mandatory evacuation for some residents in Westmoreland County.

According to emergency dispatchers, the evacuation was ordered for residents on both sides of Mount Pleasant Road (Route 31) in South Huntingdon Township.

A farmer cutting hay didn't see a gas line and hit it, which caused it to rupture around 10 a.m.

"We had a gas line rupture. A farmer hit it while mowing the field and we had a high-pressure gas leak. We had to evacuate about 25-30 people. They were evacuated for about 20 minutes before the gas company arrived on scene and shut the line off. All levels returned to safe levels. We were able to let the residents go back into their homes," Turkeytown Fire Department Volunteer Fire Department Captain Jamie Pergola said.

Pergola said if there had been a spark when the line ruptured, the situation could have been much different.

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