Gas leak closes Durham street, forces evacuations

Part of Fayetteville Street south of downtown Durham was closed for hours Monday because of a gas leak.

Posted 9:20 p.m. Oct 21, 2019 — Updated 3:43 a.m. Oct 22, 2019

Rosalie Fodera

, WRAL reporter

DURHAM, N.C. — Part of Fayetteville Street south of downtown Durham was closed for hours Monday because of a gas leak.

Dominion Energy officials said a third-party contractor struck a gas line shortly after 4:30 p.m.

Fayetteville Street was closed between Umstead Street and Linwood Avenue, and homes and businesses within a one-block radius of the leak were evacuated.

Dennis Cortez said he was headed to his home on Price Street after work when he was turned back.

"I can’t even pass the tape. I’m trying to go home," Cortez said.

Cortez said the April gas explosion downtown comes to mind now whenever there’s a gas leak.

"I’m kind of nervous, very anxious because you never know," he said. "This is right near my house. This is where not only me but the whole community is affected."

Crews were able to shut off the gas by 7:30 p.m., but Fayetteville Street remained shut down late Monday.

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