BAKERSFIELD, CA - A 30-inch gas line ruptured in a field near Wible Road and Houghton Road, producing a cloud of dust and potentially explosive fumes that could be seen from a distance.
Officials report that one million cubic feet of gas was released per minute, and that 8 square miles surrounding the area were evacuated.
The ruptured line was shut off at approximately 10:50 a.m.
Students at Panama Elementary School were preparing to evacuate around 8:50 a.m.
Students met at Berkshire Elementary School at 3900 Berkshire Road. Panama-Buena Vista School District officials said children are safe and may remain at Berkshire Elementary if parents are unable to get them.
Law enforcement shut down roadways leading into the area--from Wible Road on the West to Stine Road on the east and from Bear Mountain Blvd. on the south to Taft Highway on the north. Medical helicopters were put on standby for a short time.
"PG&E is responding to a third party dig west of Houghton Road and Wible Road. It’s located on Line 300, which is a 30 inch transmission line," PG&E Spokeswoman Katie Allen said in a news release. "Our crews are on scene working to stop the flow of gas. Safety is our top priority and we are working with first responders to ensure the area is safe. We are also investigating how this happened."
The gas line ruptured at approximately 7:35 a.m. Friday, the Kern County Fire Department reported. Firefighters on scene reported residents were evacuated up to Taft Highway. Others---including students at nearby General Shafter Elementary School--were being told to stay indoors and shelter in place.
Officials report that one million cubic feet of gas was released per minute, and that 8 square miles surrounding the area were evacuated.
The ruptured line was shut off at approximately 10:50 a.m.
Students at Panama Elementary School were preparing to evacuate around 8:50 a.m.
Students met at Berkshire Elementary School at 3900 Berkshire Road. Panama-Buena Vista School District officials said children are safe and may remain at Berkshire Elementary if parents are unable to get them.
Law enforcement shut down roadways leading into the area--from Wible Road on the West to Stine Road on the east and from Bear Mountain Blvd. on the south to Taft Highway on the north. Medical helicopters were put on standby for a short time.
"PG&E is responding to a third party dig west of Houghton Road and Wible Road. It’s located on Line 300, which is a 30 inch transmission line," PG&E Spokeswoman Katie Allen said in a news release. "Our crews are on scene working to stop the flow of gas. Safety is our top priority and we are working with first responders to ensure the area is safe. We are also investigating how this happened."
The gas line ruptured at approximately 7:35 a.m. Friday, the Kern County Fire Department reported. Firefighters on scene reported residents were evacuated up to Taft Highway. Others---including students at nearby General Shafter Elementary School--were being told to stay indoors and shelter in place.