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NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. — NStar workers closed a section of Otis Street on Saturday morning following a gas leak that occurred when a Walmart contractor ruptured a gas line.
The contractor struck the four-inch gas line at about 8:15 a.m. while digging a sewer trench, according to Capt. Robert Theve of the Northborough Fire Department.
Customers at Berberian's Farm were evacuated, Theve said, while employees were allowed to stay but were asked to move to an area far from the leak.
Firefighters used combustible-gas meters to monitor the leak while they waited for NStar to arrive. Any vehicles that could have created an ignition source were moved from the scene.
"The gas dispersed naturally, without any additional efforts on our part," Theve said.
Firefighters also investigated complaints from neighbors of gas odors. Following inspection, Theve said these were residual odors from the chemicals that are added to gas.
NStar later shut off the gas line before commencing repairs, and firefighters left the scene at about 11 a.m. Theve said he expects the road to be reopened by the end of the business day.
The sewer trench in question is part of Walmart's plans to expand its Northborough location into a Supercenter. The retailer is extending the town's sewer line to its store at 200 Otis St.
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