ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 4, 1996 TAG: 9604040048
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA
A natural gas leak sent one Montgomery County woman to the hospital early Wednesday after equipment at a substation failed.
Christiansburg Volunteer Fire Department Chief James Epperly said a mechanical failure at the substation located off North Franklin Street near the new Wal-Mart Supercenter resulted in a high-pressure gas leak.
Linda Nelson, who lives about a half-mile from the substation, said she woke up about 2:30 a.m. to a loud hissing.
``I thought my commode was running, so I got up to fix it. That's how loud it was,'' she said.
Nelson called authorities to report the gas leak after smelling the strong odor. She also had a severe headache from the fumes, she said.
She said she went to a hospital, where she was treated and released.
The substation is designed to release gas periodically when pressure builds in the lines, Epperly said, but this call was unusual because it was a high-pressure leak.
United Cities Gas Co. repaired the equipment after getting replacement parts.
Epperly said there is very little danger when natural gas is released, but leaks should be reported to the local gas company or emergency crews if the leak seems severe, as this one did.
Judy Moss, spokeswoman for United Cities Gas, said natural gas dissipates quickly when it is released and is lighter than air, so it rises, but the odor tends to linger. She said all leaks should be reported and, if they are inside, the building's windows and doors should be opened as well. If the odor is especially strong, people should leave the area until the leak can be investigated.
LENGTH: Short : 40 linesby CNB