On July 13, at 11am Ventura City Fire personnel responded to a Hazardous Condition incident involving leaking natural gas and operating heavy equipment in the 200 block of S. Mills Rd. The first arriving company found a commercial boom/bucket lift vehicle, which had been performing work on the exterior of a business and had broken through an access door located in the sidewalk. When the heavy equipment broke through it damaged underground natural gas equipment and piping which resulted in an active leak.
The immediate area was evacuated, and the gas leak successfully mitigated by closing adjacent valves. Both a USAR and a truck/support company were requested. Engine company personnel stood by with hose lines while the vehicle was removed from the hole using a heavy wrecker. After removal, the gas company began repairing the damaged equipment and piping.
