Flammable Gas Release in Muscoy

While conducting routine maintenance on an underground vault system, a Verizon employee contacted San Bernardino County Communications Center to report a suspected gas leak at approximately 2:40 p.m. County Fire responded Medic Engine 75, Hazmat 73, and Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) Hazardous Materials Responders to the scene. Upon arrival, responders isolated the area around the underground vault and conducted an assessment of the situation. Monitoring equipment indicated flammable gas was present inside the vault. Representatives from Verizon and Southern California Gas Company were also requested to respond to the scene for additional technical support. Because flammable gas was detected in the neighborhood, the Incident Commander requested law enforcement to assist with traffic control, while County Fire personnel went door to door advising residents to stay inside their residence until the incident was over. Once Southern California Gas Company arrived on scene, they were able to determine the source of the release. Southern California Gas personnel worked diligently to locate and repair the source of the flammable gas leak. All other underground vaults in the area were vented as a precaution to verify all flammable gas had been evacuated from the system. Residents were allowed to return to normal activities at approximately 8 p.m. The flammable gas released was determined to be natural gas. If you believe you smell natural gas inside or outside your residence at any time, call 911 immediately to report the odor.