Worker in Ross hits gas line; 15 homes evacuated

Residents along Sewickley-Oakmont Road in Ross were permitted back inside their homes Friday afternoon, several hours after a private contractor working on a sewer problem struck a gas line, a spokesman for Equitable Gas said.

About 15 homes were evacuated and gas service was shut off before noon as a safety precaution, said spokesman Scott Waitlevertch. Equitable crews performed safety inspections inside each of the homes before the gas was restored and residents were allowed back in, he said.

Sewickley-Oakmont Road was reopened shortly before 4 p.m., Ross police Detective Brian Kohlhepp said.

Heavy rains last week caused a landslide that dumped mud onto the road. Ross officials said one home was affected by the slide; repairs are the homeowner's responsibility.