Ruptured Gas Main Forces Evacuations On Hil-Ray Avenue

Contractors working at a home on Hil-Ray Avenue struck a gas main Monday afternoon, forcing the evacuation of about a half dozen homes, according to the owner of the property where the incident occurred.

"They were digging up a root when they hit a gas main," said a woman named Caitlin, who identified herself as the homeowner, but declined to give her full name.

Gas could be smelled as far as Ravine Avenue, the only road providing access to the small cul-de-sac near Godwin Avenue.

and Volunteer Fire departments were on the scene minutes after the incident was reported — around 5:30 p.m. — and shut down traffic coming into Ravine.

As a precaution, Wyckoff officials evacuated houses adjacent to the home where the main was struck, as well as several homes across the street, according to Fire Chief Mike Rose.

Rose, who confirmed the homeowner's story, had set up a command post in a driveway several homes down Hil-Ray Avenue and said that evacuations were carried out "just to be safe." 

PSE&G crews arrived on the scene just after 6 p.m. and by approximately 6:30 p.m. officials were allowing residents to return to their homes.

There were no injuries related to the incident, officials said.