December 12, 2011

3:10 PM

At 1:25 pm, Portland Fire & Rescue was dispatched to reports of a broken 4" natural gas line hissing in SW Kingston Avenue.  Firefighters from Portland Fire (Northwest/Pearl District) Station 3 arrived on scene within three minutes of receiving the call.

Reports indicate that a Portland Water Bureau crew hit the gas line while working in the street near 157 SW Kingston Avenue. The area of SW Kingston Avenue between SW Tichner Drive and SW Fairview Blvd. was immediately evacuated.  The evacuation is affecting approximately 15 homes.

Portland Fire crews are initiating a plan alongside crews from NW Natural to crimp the broken gas line and shut off a valve to stop the flow of natural gas.  Currently five fire engines and one fire truck are at the scene responding.

A Public Information Officer is on scene.  Staging for media will be at West Burnside Street and SW Tichner Drive.

Portland Fire & Rescue