Gas Main Struck at Christian Health Care Center

PSE&G crews were still working as of 4:15 p.m. today to repair a small gas main break at the Christian Health Care Center.

A construction vehicle struck and severed a 1.75-inch gas main at approximately 3 p.m. on the campus of the health-care facility at 301 Sicomac Ave., according to firefighters at the scene.

The immediate neighborhood at large was not touched by the incident. Center officials and firefighters said the mishap only affected service to the center's multiple buildings, not to any nearby homes or businesses.

"Everyone's safe," said John M. Browne, vice president of residential services at the Christian Health Care Center.

Gas service was never completely shut down on the campus, either. Browne said there was a "systematic shutdown (of gas service) in some areas" as utility crews worked to repair the breach.

Traffic near the the Sicomac and Cedar Hill intersection also flowed normally, as the only outward signs of the accident were on the grounds of the center. A fire truck and police cruiser sat parked at the entrance of the facility, and center staff shut down the access road leading to where the main was struck.

At least two fire engines could be seen on site, although firefighters said they were present mainly as a precaution. Chief David Murphy released some of his personnel after about 30 to 40 minutes on scene, as PSE&G was making progress toward repairing the gas main break.

Murphy said the location of the main and the weather offered the "best conditions" for such an accident, in terms of safety. The minor breach wasn't as much of a danger as such an incident could be in a confined space, as the main was located outdoors and the wind was whipping through the hilly facility.

The vehicle that struck the gas main was part of a construction crew currently working to convert some of the facility's land into "desperately needed" parking, said Carla DeWitt, vice president of marketing at the center.