Gas leak in Newtown

NEWTOWN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Utility crews were on the scene of a natural gas leak in Newtown all day Wednesday. The leak closed down a section of Route 6.

It was a little after midnight when firefighters got the word about a bad combination of smell and sound.

"The call came in as smell of gas and hissing sound and I drove down and smelled the gas and heard the hissing sound," said Chief Joseph Farrell, Newtown Fire Dept.

And it was coming from a crack in the pavement in the middle of Mount Pleasant Road, also known as Route 6, right near the Newtown-Bethel line.

And that crack opened up right in front of an assisted living facility for people of a certain age. The gas was certainly a concern for them, but not enough of a concern to evacuate all the people who live there.

That facility put out a statement that it was prepared to lose gas service for several hours and it was glad Wednesday's weather was warmer. People can still get in and out of there.

"We have one lane for entry and exit for them so we're controlling the traffic there," said Chief Farrell, "so we can get in and out and get any emergency vehicles in and out if we have to."

As for all other vehicles, the ones that ignored the detour signs were turned around at the site of the leak.
  
"Ahh, not that bad of a headache. Just detour a little bit," said John Mari, truck driver. "Saw the sign down there and thought I'd try it. Guess it didn't work out."

Mari can laugh because it's an easy detour. Shutting off the gas and fixing the pipe is no laughing matter. It takes hours and hours.