Columbia Gas outage in Donora, warming centers set up
DONORA – Columbia Gas of Pa. began shutting off natural gas to a large number of customers in Donora Saturday evening and the outage could last for up to 48 hours, the company said.
The company also established three warming centers in the area as it was going door-to-door to shut off gas meters used by 1,700 customers, according to a statement on its website.
“The shutdown of service and the steps we are taking are out of an abundance of caution,” the company stated. The problem posed no threat to borough residents.
A contractor working for Columbia “inadvertently entered air into the system,” creating a situation that required the meters to be turned off, company spokesman Lee Gierczynski said.
Once all of the meters have been turned off, the flow of gas will be restored, the company said. Crews will then go to each metered building to perform safety checks and relight natural gas appliances.
Gierczynski said “crews will work around-the-clock for whatever it takes” to get the customers back online.
Once Columbia Gas technicians have turned off all gas meters in the affected area it will restore the flow of natural gas into the system and Columbia Gas crews will go door-to-door to perform safety checks and relight natural gas appliances.
All Columbia Gas employees and contractors wear a company-issued ID badge with their photo on it.
Homes where service has not been restored are asked to keep their porch lights on. For customers not home during the service restoration process, door hangers will be left at their homes informing them of the outage and requesting they call Columbia Gas at 1-888-460-4332 for a service technician to be dispatched to restore service to their homes.
The warming centers were set up at the: borough building, 603 Meldon Ave.; Carroll Township Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall, 130 Baird Ave., and Carroll Township Volunteer Fire Department, 988 Route 837.
Anyone who needs transportation to a warming center should call 724-379-6600.