WESTFORD — Several businesses in Westford were evacuated Friday afternoon, after a nearby gas main was damaged, causing a leak.
Shortly after 2 p.m. Friday, the Westford Fire Department was called to 527 Groton Rd., which contains an Ace Hardware Store, Domino’s Pizza and the Ginger Tree Chinese Restaurant, for a report of a gas leak.
All three businesses were evacuated, and employees were seen standing outside in the parking lot when firefighters arrived.
According to Westford Fire Chief Mike Denehy, the gas leak occurred when an old gas main, located near Fletcher Granite on 535 Groton Rd., was damaged by construction machinery.
Tanker trucks and a ladder truck were deployed to the scene, and Denehy said firefighters used water supply monitors, which are high-capacity nozzles delivering powerful streams of water, to help stop the gas from spreading to nearby buildings and properties.
Employees from the businesses at 527 Groton Rd. said they were told to evacuate by managers, due to the close proximity of the gas main, which was located behind their building.
Additionally, WestfordCAT reporters at the scene reported a strong smell of gas coming from the Fletcher Granite property.
National Grid was also at the scene and told WestfordCAT they were called by firefighters to come shut off the gas main to stop the leak, confirming that the damage was caused by machinery, and that crews had later repaired the gas main and stopped the leak.
Although a Westford Fire Department ambulance was at the scene, Denehy said there was no danger to public health throughout the incident, and that the abutting buildings and properties have been metered by National Grid and are safe.
Denehy said the evacuated employees were allowed to return to their building around 3:45 p.m. Friday.
During the incident, Denehy said firefighters from the Acton, Groton and Tyngsborough fire departments provided coverage to Westford.
Acton covered the Westford Fire Headquarters, while Groton covered Westford Fire Station 3 and Tyngsborough covered Westford Fire Station 4.
