Gas Main Puncture Forces Evacuation

A heavy construction vehicle punctured a high-pressure natural gas main in Palmdale Wednesday morning, releasing a roaring flow of gas that forced the evacuation of more than 40 houses and slightly injured a worker.

Souther California Gas Co. workers using a heavy-duty hydraulic clamp closed off the six-inch distribution line shortly before 2 p.m., about six hours after the rupture near 10th Street West and Beechdale Drive. About 20 evacuees were allowed back into their homes after the line was sealed.

Dave Lopez, 37, a gas company worker, suffered a minor knee injury as a crew tried to clamp the line and the gas blew a piece of equipment off the pipe, knocking Lopez down. He was treated and released at Palmdale Hospital.