The Snoqualmie Fire Department announced at 10:30AM, August 7, 2018 that SFD and Eastside Fire & Rescue crews were responding to a natural gas main ‘fracture’ near the Wood River neighborhood of North Bend.
The gas main fracture occurred at SE 140th and 457th Ave SE. Eastside Fire & Rescue was dispatched to the scene at 9:30AM. A few home is close vicinity to the break were evacuated as a standard safety precaution, but those residents since have been allowed back into their homes.
Emergency crews were asking people to avoid the area. Roads were closed around the Tannerwood and Wood River neighborhoods. Residents closest to the incident were advised to shelter in place with all windows closed.
North Bend Public Information Officer Jill Green said via press release that Puget Sound Energy was called to repair the gas line this morning after a contractor for the Tanner Electric headquarters project hit a 4-inch diameter gas main. The leak was isolated and the pipe clamped on each side of the break..
Gas was not turned off as previously stated by the city. According to Green that would’ve involved turning the gas off individually to over 200 homes.
Eastside Fire and Rescue and Snoqualmie Police Department were on the scene to ensure public safety and reroute traffic.
One lane of traffic on SE 140th will be opened during repairs, which are expected to take several hours. Wood River residents are encouraged to use the east neighborhood entrance will repair occur.