Residents of 50 homes were forced to evacuate due to a large gas leak at the intersection of Lenox Street and Hillside Avenue.
Around 2:55 p.m, someone reported a possible gas leak. According to Norwood Fire Department spokesman George Morrice, Norwood Fire Capt. Michael Costello arrived at the scene and discovered that a construction crew had hit an unmarked underground high-pressure gas main.
“Firefighters had to go door to door evacuating residents and daytime business workers from the potential danger zone,” Morrice said.
According to the press release, Lenox Street, Lenox Avenue, Hillside Avenue, Allen Road, and a section of Pleasant Street were affected,
There was some difficulty finding the shut-off valves of the older unmarked gas line, according to Morrice but within an hour, NStar was able to shut the leak off.
Crews from the Norwood Fire Department were able to clear the scene by 5:30. There were no injuries reported and and residents were able to return to their homes. Repair crews worked throughout the night. Norwood police asked drivers to avoid Lenox Street between South Norwood and the Norwood Central station due to the gas work.
Written by George Curtis, Norwood Historical Society