Lockport Fire Responds to Cut Natural Gas Main by Apartment Complex
Photo by Stephen M WallaceThe contractor is on the cell phone as his machine sits by the hole that cut the natural gas line feet away from the apartment building
Photo by Stephen M WallaceFirst in Engine provides protection for the pump operator
Photo by Stephen M WallaceTraining Captain Loucks does an accountability check and safety procedure overview.
Photo by Stephen M WallaceFire Fighter Corey Webster waisted no time heading into the danger zone of natural gas to do what ever he could to help
Photo by Stephen M WallaceLockport Fire Fighters and Shift Captain enter the Apartments to make sure everyone got out safely
Photo by Stephen M WallaceCrews grabbed equipment to ventilate the apartment building
Photo by Stephen M WallaceAst Chief Scapelliti set up in the safe zone to have an oversight of the scene
Photo by Stephen M WallaceNYSEG was on scene within minutes and firefighters worked with them to get the situation in hand quickly.
LOCKPORT, NY – On July 8, the Lockport Fire Department responded with all units to 499 Davison Road after being dispatched by Niagara County Emergency Communications for a natural gas line rupture. A private contractor operating an excavator struck a gas line, releasing high-pressure natural gas into the air—just a few feet from a nearby apartment complex.
The first-arriving engine was positioned in the hot zone at an angle to protect the pump operator in case of a worst-case scenario. Training Captain Loucks arrived shortly after and immediately established an accountability system before proceeding into the hot zone. Ladder 9 arrived and blocked the road at the north end, where the hot and cold zones met. Firefighter Corey Webster moved from the ladder to the hot zone to assist with evacuations and other assigned duties.
NYSEG responded quickly and commandeered the private contractor’s excavator to dig down to the shut-off valve. The roar of high-pressure natural gas filled the area as fire crews worked nearby. Lockport firefighters entered the affected apartment building to evacuate residents.
Assistant Chief Scapelliti set up his command post in the safe zone next to Ladder 9 and maintained direct communication with the shift captain. Acknowledging the potential for a disaster, he ordered all non-essential personnel in the hot zone to fall back to a safer location. Crews had a handline pulled and ready in case ignition occurred.
After approximately 20 minutes, NYSEG was able to dig down and successfully shut off the gas flow. The Lockport Fire Department ventilated the apartments, took gas readings, and—after receiving the all-clear from Assistant Chief Scapelliti and NYSEG—residents were allowed back into their homes.
This was a scene handled professionally from start to finish. Natural gas incidents are never routine, and these fire professionals responded with the precision and caution the situation demanded.
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