BGE Begins To Restore Natural Gas Service To Customers In Locust Point

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—A gas emergency in Locust Point. Hundreds of residents are without heat or hot water, and businesses are shut down, losing money.

Adam May has the latest on repairs.

Crews are still working on this major natural gas line break. It could be days until service is restored to everyone.

Baltimore police stand guard as locksmiths hired by BGE to break into homes across Locust Point do their work.

The utility is in a race to disconnect natural gas service to around 1,000 homes.

Matija Zollars says she'll  miss using "the stove and the dryer, and the shower."

"It's hard cooking with a microwave, and the food isn't too good. That's for darn sure," said Phillip Dulaney.

The problems started when a contractor working on a nearby bridge broke a 12-inch gas line Monday morning.

"Once the repairs have been completed, we have to go back in each home and relight their appliances, so at this point we are looking at a multi-day restoration effort," said Rachel Lighty, BGE.

Businesses like award-winning L.P. Steamers have crabs waiting to be cooked but no customers to eat them.

"They keep calling, but we can't tell them we're open.  We don't know what to say. It's bad. We're losing a lot of money," said Bud Garner.

And the gas shutdown itself hasn't been without a few problems.

"When I showed up from work, the cops were outside, all of my doors were open," said Carl Delorenzo.  "I thought 'What happened?'"

Delorenzo says BGE set off his security alarms after they entered his house . . . twice.

"They inadvertently forgot they already shut off my gas, so they broke back in to reshut it off," he said.

BGE brought in extra crews from out of state. Right now crews are turning gas back on for about 100 people.

Residents are warned to evacuate their homes and call BGE at 1-800-685-0123 if they smell a strong gas odor.

BGE is holding an informational meeting for residents Tuesday night at The Church of the Redemption at 7:30 p.m.