Road closed during natural gas leak

Crews fix leak that some worried could result in explosion.A portion of Fairview Road in Costa Mesa was closed for more than an hour while crews worked to repair a natural gas leak Wednesday.

The hot, dry weather created a greater risk of explosion. With humidity at a low, there is more static electricity in the air -- all it would take for an explosion is one spark, officials said.

“Something as small as that could ignite the natural gas,” said Costa Mesa Fire Capt. Randy Croll.

The gas leak at the Shell station at 1201 W. Baker Street was reported at 11:18 a.m. A contractor severed a gas line during construction, Croll said.

Fire crews doused the gas leak with water until a repair crew from the Gas Co. arrived to clamp the pipe and stop the leak.

Businesses in a nearby strip mall were temporarily closed, and employees were told to stay inside, Croll said.20060210iue708ncMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Two Gas Company workers on Wednesday turn off a leaking gas line near the Fairview Road and Baker Street intersection.