The Hollister Fire Department and Hollister Police Department
are evacuating the area of Locust Avenue and College Street after
road construction broke a gas pipe in the area.
The Hollister Fire Department and Hollister Police Department are evacuating the area of Locust Avenue and College Street after road construction broke a gas pipe in the area.
As of 11 a.m., the gas was still spewing out of the pipe.
Workers with a private contractor hit the gas line around 10:10 a.m. with a machine that was rolling over the roadway, said fire department Capt. Charlie Bedolla. Firefighters received calls 15 minutes later.
Pacific Gas & Electric was called to the scene to close off the line, Bedolla said. PG&E workers arrived shortly before 11 a.m.
Freighters already cleared a nearby apartment complex but were still clearing homes on College Street and West Second Street around 11 a.m., Bedolla said.
“We are trying to get everyone out and tell them not to use anything,” he said.
The borders of the area being evacuated include from Central Avenue to Buena Vista Road and from Line Street to Locust Avenue, said police spokesman Capt. David Westrick.
Authorities also have set up an evacuation center for the affected residents. It is at the Hollister Community Center, 300 West St., Westrick said. It is unclear how long residents will have to stay away from their homes.
Look back for more information.
