A BobCat operator hit a gas riser beside a Penhold building last week.
Just after 2 p.m. the Penhold Fire Department and Atco Gas representatives responded to a gas leak at the 1200 block of Highway 2A. Two nearby streets were closed and traffic was rerouted as a precaution.
“Crews from Atco Gas isolated the leak and fire crews found levels of explosive gas in the adjacent building,” said Fire chief Jim Pendergast.
He said it took 30 minutes to ventilate the building using positive pressure techniques until the explosive readings were zero and the oxygen level was back to normal.
Crews left the scene close to 3 p.m.
Pendergast said there wasn't anyone in the building at the time of the accident. The BobCat operator did not sustain any injuries.
Atco Gas determined the operator should have done a visual check prior to beginning operations and there should have been proper posts in place to protect the riser.
Penhold firefighters were quick earlier this month to contain a potential serious incident at a local residence when nearby power poles threatened its occupants.
At about 9:20 a.m. on Nov. 7, members of the Penhold Fire Department responded to a power pole incident on Bouteiller Close in Penhold.
Fire chief Jim Pendergast said a nearby pole started smoking and flashing, causing power lines to separate and fall to the ground.
He said one house with five children and one adult was threatened. There was the smell of smoke and electrical arcing in the home, he said.
Pendergast said there were no injuries but there was some minor electrical damage to the home.
"Crews went in and checked all the outlets and the electrical panel using a thermal imaging camera which can detect hot spots even inside walls and electrical equipment," he said.
Fortis arrived on scene to make the area safe and repair the line, said Pendergast.
He said firefighters kept the occupants in the home to stay warm after conditions were considered safe. The owner was asked to contact an electrician, he said.
Pendergast said fire crews stayed at the scene until about 10 a.m.
"The occupant of the home did the absolute right thing by keeping the children safe and calling 911," said Pendergast.
