Gas main hit during drilling, leak near state capitol causes Main Street Station evacuation

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond Fire and EMS responded to a gas leak near the state capitol on Monday after workers reportedly hit a gas main while drilling for a traffic signal and began to smell gas.

The leak was reported just before 11 a.m. on Sept. 15 at the corner of North 15th St and East Main Street.

According to a spokesperson with Richmond Fire, a closer examination of the area revealed that there was "a significant amount of gas exiting the ground with a loud audible hissing."

First responders at the scene found that there was a 30% Lower Explosive Limit -- the lowest concentration of a gas in air that can ignite if there’s a spark or flame -- on the street with "a moderate breeze."

"RFD assumed command, made this a working incident, and we evacuated Main Street Station," the spokesperson told 8News.

A railroad police officer was in the area at the time and inquired about the train tracks directly above the gas leak, which led to the closure of that location due to its proximity to the leak. Main Street Station between 15th and 17th streets was shut down as well.

According to authorities, a safety officer taped off the area to prevent pedestrian access. After that, workers from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) advised that a main line had been hit and began work to secure the five valves needed to shut down the line.

Medical assistance from Richmond Ambulance Authority (RAA) was offered at the scene for those who needed it.

"Once the main was shut down, we ran our meters through Main Street Station to make sure there were no pockets of gas inside," the Richmond Fire spokesperson told 8News. "We picked up no gas readings in the building."

The scene tape was then removed, and Main Street was reopened to traffic.

DPU remained on scene to work on repairing the main. According to a spokesperson with DPU, repairs were completed and services were restored on Monday night.