Gas Main Break Causes Evacuation Of Briar Creek Homes

SAFETY HARBOR, FL -- A gas main break in the vicinity of 3166 McMullen Booth Road in unincorporated Pinellas County Monday forced the evacuation of some nearby residents.

An 8-inch gas main was accidentally struck about 1 p.m. during an underground cable installation, causing the break.

Crews from Clearwater Gas System immediately responded to begin repairs.

It took Clearwater Gas System about seven hours to complete the repairs. No customers lost gas service but the area south of Briar Creek was evacuated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue as a precaution.

Northbound lanes of McMullen Booth Road from State Road 580 to Curlew Road have reopened Southbound lanes from Curlew Road to Mease Drive remained open for access t0 Mease Countryside Hospital.

However, southbound lanes south of Mease Drive to State Road 580 will remain closed until about 6 a.m. Tuesday because the road buckled as a result of the break. It will need to be repaved.

Motorists should use U.S. 19, Belcher Road or other roads that travel north and south as potential detour routes.

Image via Clearwater Fire & Rescue

(For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)