Gas leak in Alameda prompted evacuations, shelter-in-place warnings

By Carlos E. Castañeda

A ruptured gas line in Alameda prompted neighborhood evacuations and shelter-in-place warnings on Wednesday, authorities said.

The Alameda Fire Department said the rupture of a 2-inch gas line happened at about 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of 5th Street and Pacific Avenue in the city’s Woodstock neighborhood on the west side of the island. 

The Alameda Police Department said officers assisted with the evacuation of residents in the area, as well as students at Island High School and the Woodstock Child Development Center. The evacuation order was issued for zones ALA-023-B and ALA-024-B, and an evacuation center was set up at the Mastick Senior Center at 1155 Santa Clara Avenue.

The Alameda Unified School District said parents of students from the Woodstock Child Development Center, which serves kids from 18 months to 11 years old, should pick up their students at Paden Elementary School at 444 Central Avenue.

For those not evacuated, a shelter-in-place was issued for residents and businesses in the surrounding area, including The Academy of Alameda middle school, located about a block west of the leak location, adjacent to Woodstock Park.

Pacific Gas and Electric said it was first notified of the leak at 1:31 p.m. and the flow of gas was stopped at 3:30 p.m. According to a PG&E spokesperson, a third party struck a gas line at the location. The evacuations were then lifted at 3:54 p.m. 

Due to the size of the rupture, gas may be noticeable in the air in the surrounding area, the fire department said.  

Police said road closures in the area include: 5th Street from Buena Vista to Lincoln avenues, and Pacific Avenue between 4th and Webster Streets. People were being urged to avoid the area and follow instructions from first responders. 

This is a breaking news update. More information to be added as available.