Demolition crew gets bad information, hits Cedar Rapids gas line

Workers demolishing a flood-damaged house punctured a working gas main Wednesday, prompting the closure of a busy Cedar Rapids street.

An excavator operated by a Kelly Demolition worker struck the 1/2-inch gas line around 9:40 a.m. at 1118 Seventh St. SE. Firefighters evacuated about a half-dozen people from surrounding houses, and police blocked part of 12th Avenue SE near Metro High School.

The workers said MidAmerican Energy had signed off on the demolition and claimed the gas was shut off. One worker, who did not want to be identified, said they knew there was a problem when they heard hissing and smelled natural gas.

A MidAmerican Energy crew pinched off the gas line, and 12th Avenue was reopened after about an hour. No one was hurt in the incident.

In response to the gas leak, a student said an announcement was made at Metro advising students that they would not be allowed to smoke across the street.