Portland Fire responded to ruptured gas line on Riverside Street.

Portland, Maine - The Portland Fire department responded at approximately 11:00 am to the area of 405 Riverside Street in Portland due to a ruptured natural gas line.

A contractor struck the line while excavating in the area to install a water line.

Portland Deputy Fire Chief David Jackson indicates that “there was a fairly heavy odor of gas in the air, but, the wind was blowing hard enough to disperse the gas quickly.”

Firefighters evacuated one business for precautionary purposes. The 25 employees in the affected building were able to return to the building after firefighters determined the building was safe to occupy.   Fire department personnel determined that no other buildings required evacuation.  

Riverside Street was closed briefly while Until secured the leak.  No illness’s or injuries were reported to fire department personnel on the scene.