Update: Poulsbo Police Chief Al Townsend tweeted at 12:20 p.m. that the natural gas leak has been “resolved.” However, “Jensen Way will have alternating traffic until until repairs are completed,” he wrote.
By PETE O’CAIN
and RICHARD WALKER
North Kitsap Herald
POULSBO — Jensen Way from Sunset Street to Iverson Street was evacuated Dec. 21 because of a ruptured natural gas line in front of Bank of America.
The gas line was reportedly ruptured by a construction crew doing work on Bank of America’s parking lot. CenCom dispatched emergency crews at 10:26 a.m. The first Cascade Natural Gas employee arrived at the scene about an hour later. A Cascade Natural Gas worker said it could take around two hours to get the line shut off.
Poulsbo Fire Department evacuated the Poulsbo Post Office and Bank of America, and recommended other residents and businesses evacuate. Emergency vehicles blocked Jensen Way in the evacuation area. A light smell of natural gas was reported throughout downtown, according to CenCom. No medical complaints were reported, according to CenCom.
Poulsbo Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Russell said the line serves approximately 500 homes and businesses.
Although the leak could easily be seen and smelled, Russell said the size of the leak wasn’t out of the ordinary. “It’s what we expect to see when this happens,” Russell said. In addition to Poulsbo Fire, Poulsbo and Suquamish police went to the scene.
A natural gas leak caused an explosion at the Motel 6 in Bremerton in August. Russell said this leak is different because the gas is dissipating into the open air, while gas from Motel 6 leak flowed into motel rooms.
“So, we’re fortunate not to be dealing with that,” Russell said.
Julie Ann Krucek of Jak’s Cafe & Espresso, near the corner of Jensen and Sunset, stayed open so people could stay warm. But as a safety precaution, she wasn’t firing up the stove or oven. “We’re not turning anything on,” she said.
Six or seven customers sipped coffee drinks, chatted and browsed their cell phones. As a light rain fell outside, Krucek made coffee drinks available to all emergency personnel.
Mary Kay Handley was getting her nails done at Jenny’s Nails and was evacuated mid-manicure. She walked down the wet sidewalk in a pair of blue flip flops, with pads still stuck between her toes (she was getting a pedicure next).
She had her car parked near the leak and was told she couldn’t move it because starting it might ignite the fumes. A worker moved her car out of harm’s way about 45 minutes after she was evacuated.
Handley stayed out of the rain inside Jak’s Cafe.
