Gas Leak Evacuates Hospital

At 0847 hours the Potsdam Fire Dept. was dispatched to a report of a ruptured natural gas line at the Canton-Potsdam Hospital. Engine 49 responded and was on scene at 0850. It was determined construction operations had broken a 3" gas service line to the hospital. The break was adjacent to air louvers on the north side of the hospital. Crews began efforts to secure the hospital, and secure other utilities and ignition sources in the Leroy St. neighborhood. St. Lawrence Gas co. personnel responded quickly to shut off the damaged line. In the meantime, 34 patients were evacuated from CPH and taken to the former nursing home across the parking lot.
After a check for gas levels inside the building was negative, the patients were able to return, and CPH resumed normal operation. Potsdam fire was back in service at 1134 hours.