A backhoe working on the new CVS in Twin Rivers broke through a gas line under Abbington Drive Friday morning.
By: T.J. Furman
EAST WINDSOR A backhoe working in the area of the Twin Rivers Shopping Center ruptured a gas service line Friday morning, forcing the evacuation of the shopping center.
PSE&G spokeswoman Joey Anderson and East Windsor Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 Chief Carl Dye said a contractor working on Abbington Drive broke through the line at about 11 a.m. Friday. Ms. Anderson said the line was a one-and-a-quarter-inch service pipe that fed gas to the building that formerly housed the Doyle’s supermarket. No residents in the area lost gas service as a result of the accident.
According to Chief Dye, approximately 45 people were evacuated from the two shopping center buildings and the nearby Twin Rivers Animal Hospital. Several animals were also evacuated from the hospital to a truck from the township’s animal control office.
Gas being fed into the line was shut off at 12:48 p.m., Ms. Anderson said, and those evacuated from the shopping center were allowed to return by 1 p.m. She said the repairs to the gas line should be completed Friday afternoon.
Fire company officials said the backhoe was working on installing water and drainage pipes for the new CVS Pharmacy and parking lot being built in the shopping center.
In addition to Chief Dye’s company, personnel from the township Police Department, East Windsor Rescue Squad District 2, Hightstown Engine Company No. 1 and the Cranbury Fire Department responded to the scene.