PORTLAND, Maine - Fire officials in Portland are asking all property owners who burn propane or natural gas to make sure their gas meters are clear of snow and ice. A spokesman says the weight of snow and ice on meters caused a gas leak that led to the evacuation of several buildings this afternoon, including an apartment house and a nearby market.
Portland Fire Department spokesman Tim Nangle says officials detected a high level of gas in the apartment building. He says gas meters aren't designed to support any excessive weight, such as that caused by a build-up of snow.
Unitil spokesman Alec O'Meara says that's exactly what the company found at the building in Portland today, "possibly as much as seven or eight feet of snow in between the two buildings that piled up," he says. "So we had to get all of that out of there before we could make repairs. But everyone's back inside at this time."
The Fire Department's Nangle says this is hardly the first time this has happened this winter. "We've responded to a number of gas leaks. we're probably up to 28 or 29 so far this year," he says.
Nangle says in addition to keeping their meters free of snow and ice, property owners should also make sure they're protected from any that could fall from roofs.
The gas company is also reminding people to keep their vents clear and to make sure not to damage meters when removing ice and snow.