Columbia Avenue in Chapin closed for second afternoon after gas leak

Chapin, SC (Paul Kirby) – Chapin area firefighters and town police officers had a busy afternoon Tuesday just as they did Monday. Chapin Police Chief Seth Zeigler said that work crews hit the same gas line in the same block of Columbia Avenue for a second day in a row forcing its closure Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters and a battalion chief from Lexington had to man hoses and monitor gas levels while the vapors were leaking. This is a two-inch line and its repair takes time. A crew from Dominion Energy arrived on the scene of the break and eventually were able to make the necessary repairs. The fire service left the scene just before 4:00 p.m. and the afternoon commute. Police have opened the road and traffic is now flowing in its normal patterns.

Chief Zeigler said that Tuesday, the homeowners and business occupants that had to evacuate Monday were allowed to shelter in place Tuesday. His officers handled the detour while the firefighters monitored the leak. Zeigler said that the area was blocked off and the traffic was detoured for about two hours.