Details emerge regarding Eureka High School gas leak

Eureka High School had a gas leak caused by construction, which started a shelter in place order and caused a road closure on Del Norte Street. Construction began in May on the high school football field at Albee stadium, where there’s a sinkhole underneath the field that needed to be fixed. PG&E said a third party contractor hit an underground gas line on Del Norte street.

Megan McFarland, PG&E Public Information Officer said that, “About 15 people had to be evacuated. And then PG&E got to work on assessing the damage that had been done and what repairs needed to be made.”

The line that was hit was five feet from  PG&E’s main gas line.

McFarland said before construction begins, or anyone digs, they’re required to call 811 so that utility workers can come out and mark lines.

“PG&E wants to remind members of the community that if you are starting a project that involves digging, whether you’re a homeowner or a contractor or a construction company, you should always call 811 on your phone before you dig,” McFarland said.

But the line the subcontractor hit wasn’t marked. McFarland said the company did call 811 but it had been more than 28 days, and their initial request had expired. PG&E is also looking into why that smaller line wasn’t marked. Meanwhile at the high school, administrators temporarily moved students to a safer location.

Robert Standish, the principal at Eureka High School said, “It was determined that the students were not in danger, but as a precautionary measure, the woodshop classes were diverted to the main campus for the remainder of the school day.”

PG&E finished repairs late Wednesday night.

“The repairs were completed at about midnight last night, and the street that had been closed down for public safety was reopened,” McFarland said.

As of now, classes are continuing as normal at Eureka High School and the road is no longer closed.

Always call 811 before you dig so that you can have underground lines marked for free to prevent an accident. That goes for anyone digging—from the foundation of a house, to your backyard garden.