The Margate City Fire Department responded to the unit block of South Granville Avenue on Friday morning for a high-pressure gas leak that occurred as a result of a road reconstruction project on Granville Avenue by contractor Perna Finnegan. No injuries were reported.
Fire Department personnel arrived on scene at approximately 9:20 a.m. to assess the situation and evacuate a one-block radius around the leak, including Casels Market, Dino’s, Jagielky’s, Talk of the Town and other businesses along Ventnor Avenue.
The department also evacuated all the homes on the unit block of South Granville Avenue, even-number homes on the unit block of South Gladstone Avenue and the odd number homes on the unit block of South Haverford Avenue.
As a precaution, firefighters stretched a 2.5-inch hose line and secured a water supply for Engine 22.
Crews from South Jersey Gas were able to contain the leak within 45 minutes. The Fire Department remained on scene to monitor an additional gas leak near Granville and Ventnor avenues.
“We apologize for any interruption to businesses affected, but it was for the safety and well-being of everyone involved,” Fire Chief Dan Adams said.
Fire Department and representatives of South Jersey Gas are continuing to check all of the properties in the area to ensure they are free of any gas fumes or vapors and no hazards exist. Officials contacted the city schools to ensure students were kept indoors due to gas fumes spreading throughout the city.
Eleven firefighters tended to the incident, including four off-duty personnel who were recalled to handle any other potential emergencies.
Margate City Public Works Department assisted. All Fire Department units cleared the scene at 11:40 a.m.
