No one was hurt when a trackhoe ruptured a gas line Tuesday morning near TCU’s multi-purpose facility in Worth Hills.
Fort Worth Fire Cptn. Ralph Diamond said the incident happened about 9:30 a.m. and lasted about an hour and a half.
“They initially thought it was a 2-inch line, but after we got in there and dug, they found out it was a 4-inch line,” he said. “Marion and Clark Hall was not evacuated because there was a pretty good wind blowing. Everything is good now.”
TCU sent an email at 10:05 a.m. alerting faculty and staff of the situation. Students and parents were contacted about 10:30 a.m. through TCU's alert system.
Diamond said engine 21 arrived on the scene, Atmos Energy clamped off the gas line, and TCU police did a good job of directing traffic away from the area.
Harry Fortune, a plumber, sat eating his lunch on the grass nearby. He said he was working at the construction when it all happened.
“We were all told to leave the building,” he said.
TCU Police Cpl. John Thornhill, stood near a barricaded section of Bellaire Drive North. He said pedestrians still had access to the area even though the road had been closed off to through traffic.
“It’s just a safety measure,” he said.
The street has since reopened.