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Gas leak prompts evacuationBy Times staff writer© St. Petersburg Times published May 10, 2002 PALM HARBOR -- About 75 people were evacuated from several businesses along U.S. 19 after a contractor digging next to the road struck a 3-inch natural gas line about 6 p.m. Thursday. The break sent explosive levels of the gas within 150 feet of the leak, which was near Sweet Tomatoes restaurant, 31151 U.S. 19, said Palm Harbor Fire Rescue spokeswoman Kristy Patterson. Sweet Tomatoes restaurant, some offices and a strip center immediately to the south were evacuated for more than an hour. Firefighters closed a northbound lane on U.S. 19 while Clearwater Gas System employees worked on the leak. There were no reported injuries involved with the leak, which was discovered by a Palm Harbor fire crew who happened to be passing by the area. The contractor had called Clearwater Gas but not 911 when the line was struck, said Palm Harbor firefighter Robert McNaull. "We advised him that the next time this happens, he should call 911," McNaull said.
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