Large Gas Leak-Anne Arundel County

[pasadenamd]

A large gas line has been struck in Anne Arundel County. Around Veterans Highway and Benfield Road. The line that was struck is 4 inches wide. The incident started around 12:00 PM Today. It is still currently active at 5:00 PM. Many police and fire are on the scene. WBAL TV said they had to evacuate people. AAPD Dispatch called AAFD Dispatch stating they had an odor of gas in their building. AAFD Dispatch also stated they smelled gas in the structure. AAFD Shift Commander has command. Shift Commander is sending fire and BGE to AAFD and AAPD dispatch centers. BGE doesnt know when they will be able to shut off the line.
AAPD operating on SOS 2 TAC Channel.

Updates:
6:03:AAPD Dispatch Center: They are worried about the levels in the building. AAFD says BGE says the levels are OK.

[BarnacleBill]

What if AAPD dispatch or AAFD dispatch had to evacuate their facilities,
or worst yet and heaven forbid those facilities were destroyed. I hope the
PD and FD have alternate sites for dispatch. That must have been in
the original planning way back when.

[pasadenamd]

Actually they do, they have MCUU 1 (sp?) A Mobile command center. It looks like an RV. They can dispatch from there. I think it is stationed at Severn Fire Station. I also think they can dispatch from the Emergency Operations Center in Glen Burnie.

[pasadenamd]

Crews are on the scene of a gas main break in Millersville.

Captain Mike Perry reports it happened around 12 p.m. Tuesday on Veterans Highway and Benfield Boulevard.

Officials say a gas line was hit by construction equipment in the 8500-block of Veterans Highway. Veterans Highway is closed between Maxwell Frye Road and Benfield Blvd.


At this time a total of 24 firefighters are operating on the scene. A unified command post including Fire, EMS , Police, Public works and BGE are coordinating response activities. It is expected to remain closed for several hours through rush hour.

No injuries have been reported. Several area businesses have been evacuated and/or closed including the Severna Park Racquetball Club. A total of 6-10 people have been evacuated from work sites.

Three residential units in a condominium complex are occupied near the site and the occupants are sheltering in place. Area buildings are being monitored for migration of gas although none has taken place at this time.

Closures are expected to last for approximately four hours. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes.
WJZ - Baltimore, Maryland's Breaking News, Weather & Sports Station

[pasadenamd]

6:54-AAFD Shift Commander-Units go available when ready.