Semi-truck strikes gas line on Carpinteria Avenue, road shut down

CARPINTERIA, Calif. - A stretch of Carpinteria Avenue was closed Tuesday morning after a semi-truck crashed into a gas meter causing a dangerous leak.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office blocked off the street after the incident at 9:14 a.m. from Holly Ave. to Reynolds.

It was a risk to the public because of the potential for an explosion.

The Carpinteria/Summerland Fire Protection District sent two engines to the scene. At times, even though there wasn't a flame, water was sprayed on the truck and meter to reduce any chance for an ignition or explosion.

Battalion Chief Michael Gallagher said, "we had free flowing gas into the atmosphere and a number of ignition sources." Those included the rig itself, cars nearby and overhead power lines. "What we do is put out a fog pattern tiny droplets of water and that knocks down the gas, the free flowing gas to the ground so that it can't find an ignition source," said Gallagher.

Some residents nearby were evacuated. Some were told to shelter in place.

The So Cal Gas Company sent a crew in to pinch off the line and begin repairs.

Getting the truck out was a tricky situation because of the angle it came in on next to a fence and over the gas meter. It took several attempts.

The street was reopened after about two hours.

There were no injuries.

This is a developing story and will be updated with more information as it becomes available.