“High” number of underground gas lines getting hit

Since the end of March, the Cedar Rapids Fire Department has responded to eight natural gas lines that have been struck.  The latest was Wednesday afternoon on First Avenue and 7th street SW.

MidAmerican Energy, which owns the lines, said that's a high number for Cedar Rapids.

In the last month Peterson Contractors, or PCI has twice hit gas lines at the intersection of Collins and First Ave. The most recent incident was last Friday, forcing the evacuation of two next door businesses.

“Just about 12:00 to 2:00, right at lunch,” said Carlos Onate, Fiesta Del Sol.

So much gas came out that firefighters worried the buildings had filled up, and could explode if the the gas and air mix was right, and if there was a spark.

A building away, the stylists at Expressions Salon said they didn't know what was going on, and it was scary.

“It is, and if you don't know what's going on, information, is at the very least, what we expect,” said Allison Davenport, stylist.

The fire department said they weren't told because they weren't in danger. But Davenport said just hearing natural gas and leak, makes you panic.   It shouldn't, according to the Cedar Rapids Fire Department.

“I don't want to trivialize or minimize the potential hazard, but I also need people to understand that firefighters are doing their job and monitoring the gas levels and being proactive,” said Greg Buelow, Cedar Rapids Fire Department.

PCI is just one of the many contractors that have hit lines, according to MidAmerican Energy.  Representatives at MidAmerican Energy said PCI called for a locate that Friday morning, but continued to dig before the locate was performed.  PCI did not respond when asked for a comment on Wednesday.

MidAmerican Energy owns the gas lines that have been hit in Cedar Rapids. Representatives said we're seeing more mishaps because of so much construction.  Representatives also said it's unlikely that any of these hits could cause a big explosion, but they also said it's not something they take lightly.

Here's one reason to worry less, natural gas only ignites if there is a perfect mixture of air and gas. Too much air and it won't go, too little air and it won't go. And outside, Buelow said, the wind often dissipates the gas quickly.

Everyone is supposed to call Iowa One-Call before digging to find these lines but sometimes they're marked wrong and sometimes crews miss. Both contractors and utilities say it's nearly impossible to be perfect, but its better than not calling and risking a lot.