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TOOELE -- A ruptured natural gas line forced the evacuation of an assisted-living center in Tooele.
It took a large-scale effort to get the seniors who couldn't care for themselves safe and out of the heat.
About three dozen seniors were evacuated and moved to a senior center nearby.
Workers, along with the aging services director himself had their hands full. Many of the elderly residents of the Cottage Glen assisted-living center can't walk on their own.They were ushered over to the county senior center by the busload.
"It becomes a concern for us," said Bucky Whitehouse with the Tooele City Fire Department. "Both in terms of the explosive limits, making sure that any types of structures in the area are evacuated. As well as any types of respiratory problems anyone might have from being exposed to it." Fire investigators say they wanted to be super careful. After they cleared the area, they went around to monitor natural gas levels. The entire area was cleared, other than workers, for a couple hours.
The gas line ruptured as excavation crews were digging and hit a 4-inch line. Just before 10 a.m. Thursday morning crews were able to crimp the line and stop the gas.
County aging services says it prepares for situations like these. Workers were able to accommodate the residents fairly easily.
E-mail: aadams@ksl.com
