Full announcement from the city of Asheville:
Crews continue repairs to Sand Hill Road after Friday’s gas line explosion.
Following the repair of the ruptured gas line on Friday evening, City of Asheville crews worked throughout the night to restore a 24 inch water main damaged by the fire and to prepare Sand Hill Road for repaving.
Water Resources crews successfully replaced 12 feet of 24-inch water pipe, flushed and tested the line. Water was tested after the gas explosion and all tests were within normal drinking water parameters. Water has since been restored to the line.
On Saturday morning, Public Works crews backfilled the trench and continued to clean debris from the site. Public Works coordinated with the NCDOT and various impacted utilities and made arrangements with an asphalt plant to have asphalt available by Sunday morning for repaving to begin. As of this writing, it is anticipated the Sand Hill Road will be reopened by Sunday evening.
Many regional fire departments responded to Friday’s gas line rupture. More than 40 Asheville Fire Department personnel responded to assist Enka Fire Department. The 12″ pipe, flowing an estimated 500psi, ruptured at approximately 4:00p.m. Friday shooting flames over 50 feet into the air.
During the fire, a Ride the ART bus was dispatched to assist in evacuating nearby residents and employees of local businesses.
The cause of the gas line rupture is still under investigation. There were no reported injuries.
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