Prineville gas leak shuts Third Street for a time

An excavator struck a natural gas line at a work site in Prineville Tuesday afternoon, prompting closure of busy Third Street and detours around the area for a time, officials said.

Cascade Natural Gas spokesman Mark Hanson said the excavation crew working where a house is being torn down hit an accurately marked service line around 12:15 p.m.

Hanson said it took about 45 minutes to shut down the leak and another half-hour or so to complete repairs, by about 1:45 p.m.

Crook County Fire & Rescue crews “closed Third Street because the prevailing wind was pushing the blowing gas across the road,” Hanson added.

The gas leak occurred near the corner of Third Street and Williamson Drive, according to Prineville police, who closed about a mile of the road (which is also Highway 26), from Stearns to Combs Flat roads.

Police Captain Larry Seymour said officers assisted with the detour, as did city publics works crews.