Bend natural gas leak sealed; NW 12th Street reopens

(Update: Repairs made, road reopened)

A natural gas leak in northwest Bend Wednesday morning prompted a closure of Northwest 12th Street between Newport and Milwaukee avenues until repairs were completed about three hours later.

Bend fire and police closed the block after the leak was reported shortly after 10 a.m.

Bend Fire Battalion Chief Dave Howe said later a half-inch plastic low-pressure line was struck during the ongoing Cascade Natural Gas project to replace old gas lines in some areas of Bend. Motorists were urged to avoid the area until the situation was resolved.

Howe told NewsChannel 21 during a livestream at the scene the break occurred during work in an alley behind a home. Cascade Natural Gas said its technicians were working to secure the line and it likely would cut service to about a dozen customers while repairs were underway.

Howe said there was no threat to the community and that “the gas company and fire department work really well together.”

CNG said on its Twitter page the line had been secured around 1 p.m. and field crews were going door to door to relight natural gas appliances.

Howe reminded anyone who smells natural gas to call 911 and ensure there are no ignition sources in the area. If in a building, leave without flipping any light switches.