RESERVE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — More than four dozen Reserve Township residents had to leave their homes Saturday afternoon because of a gas leak along Mount Troy Road.
According to a tweet from Allegheny County, the leak happened in the 2400 block of Mount Troy Road, which was closed between Hoffman Road and Kinkura Drive for a time. The gas leak was repaired in about 1 1/2 hours.
Officials said the incident started as a water main break. While crews were digging for the water line, a backhoe struck the gas line.
Crews from the gas company were able to shut off the gas, and power was shut off for about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
The road was reopened and residents were permitted back in their homes by 3:30 p.m. There was no reported flooding due to the water line break.
Patricia Polaritz, who has lived on the road for more than 20 years, said it was the first time she ever truly worried about being in her home.
"I was afraid, especially when they had to start evacuating," Polaritz said. "One little spark could have set everything off."
The smell of gas was so strong that she needed medical treatment, and she was recovering Saturday night.
"I was dizzy. I was sick to my stomach because, in our house, I put on all the fans and everything. I was gagging," she said.
The utilities were restored by Saturday evening.