Ruptured Gas Line Near Paloma Stops Outdoor Activities

Two fire engine crews and Southern California Gas Company workers were on site for about three hours during a gas leak near Paloma Valley High School that prompted cancellation of outdoor activities on campus Thursday afternoon, Aug. 27.

The incident was first reported at 2:52 p.m. after a backhoe ruptured a gas line on a construction site at Evans Road and Briarlea Road, according to April Newman of the Riverside County Fire Department. The site is where new homes are being built along Evans Road, which is separated from Paloma Valley High by an open field of only a few hundred yards.

Firefighters stayed on site while holes were dug by Gas Company workers to reach the gas line, Newman said. Evans Road was closed between Holland Road and Craig Avenue. The leak was repaired at 6:18 p.m. and no injuries were reported.

Although no evacuations of houses near the site were reported, Paloma Valley officials called off a freshman football game on campus about five minutes into the contest. An outdoor band practice was also stopped because of a strong smell of gas, said Paloma principal Don Williamson. Students were sent inside until their parents could pick them up.

Williamson said the incident should have no affect on classes Friday or Paloma's home varsity football game Friday night against JW North.