Four blocks were evacuated yesterday in the aftermath of the accidental severing of a high-pressure gas pipe near Folsom and 11th Streets.
A Pacific Gas and Electric Co. worker on the scene said that a private construction crew had accidentally severed the two-inch underground pipe with a backhoe a little before 12:30 p.m.while trying to repair sewer lines. The resulting gas expulsion posed such a hazard that police cordoned off four blocks surrounding the area, which led to tied up traffic and the complete evacuation of the entire four block area.
At least 100 people were evacuated, including neighborhood residents, business owners and their customers. Samantha Feldman, manager of Wa-Ha-Ka restaurant, says that she lost about $500 worth of business in the shutdown after her employees and patrons were forced to leave.
One business managed to remain open throughout the ordeal. Carlann Lauria, the manager of a self-storage company on Folsom near 10th St., moved her employees outside of the police perimeter and conducted business as usual. When asked how she felt about the accident, Lauria said, “Just ask my customers. They were pretty irate.”
According the PG&E the gas was finally turned back on at approximately 5:09 p.m. yesterday.
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Lead: Not bad, but it's passive voice. Rewrite. Also, be more specific: "yesterday afternoon," "near Folsom and 11th streets in the South of Market area." Include more of the impact: Four blocks of homes and businesses....
ReplyDeleteP2: Start by explaining what happened, then give the attribution. You don't need to say it caused a hazard -- "high-pressure gas" gets that across.
"Ordeal" seems over the top. Avoid exaggerating or adding opinion to a news story.
12/15