Columbia Gas crews repair 'serious' gas leak in Andover

ANDOVER, Mass. — Columbia Gas crews say they have repaired a "serious natural gas leak" outside an Andover residence.

Officials said Thursday "a Grade 1 gas leak (most serious)" was declared, but the leak was repaired soon after.

Firefighters were called to a home on Bridle Path Road at the request of Columbia Gas just before 3 p.m. after learning that Columbia Gas crews surveying a neighborhood "received extremely high gas readings outside one of the homes." Officials say the gas meters showed natural gas concentrations of approximately 60%, which prompted an immediate hazard at that location.

"Officials believe that the source of the leak is a valve or coupling located under the front yard of the residence. Columbia Gas is in the process of digging up the lawn to locate and stop the leak."

No one was home at the time. Fire and gas crews swept the home and determined no gas leaked into the home. No evacuations were ordered, but officials are actively monitoring the situation.

Columbia Gas officials say there was no interruption of service and the line is scheduled for replacement.

Crews have repaired the leak on Bridle Path Rd., Andover. We regularly conduct leak surveys on our gas dist. system. The leak was identified and immediately fixed. We promptly notified Andover FD. There was no interruption of service and the line is scheduled for replacement.
— Columbia Gas MA (@ColumbiaGasMA) April 18, 2019