By John C. O'Connell
With natural gas escaping into the air and the possibility of a gas explosion, county police officers and the Valley Stream Fire Department responded in full force to shut down Merrick Road from Central Avenue to Fletcher Avenue and to evacuate the area.
Keyspan was notified at 8:18 a.m., responded to the scene with emergency crews at 8:42, capped the pipe and repaired the main, declaring the area safe at 10:17 a.m., according to Diana Parisi, a company spokesperson. The main is a large conduit that is tapped with smaller lines to supply local homes and businesses with natural gas fuel.
Less than six feet away from the digging area is a sign on a Long Island Power Authority pole that warns workers of the existence of the underground gas line.
