Gainesville: Heat was offered, and no one came

Nobody used the emergency shelter Prince William County officials set up Friday night after a construction crew cut a gas main in Gainesville, leaving an estimated 5,400 people without heat.

Battlefield High School was to be used as the shelter site, where cots, blankets and snacks were ready to be passed out by the Red Cross.

Despite temperatures in the lower 30s, nobody came to the shelter, and it was closed at 3 a.m., a county spokesman said.

"These homes in the area are insulated fairly well and even though the temperatures dipped [Friday] night, their homes stayed warm and people opted to stay in their homes," said Robert Innes, Columbia Gas spokesman.

While residents seemed to weather the discomfort, it was a long and equally cold night for utility crews—some from as far away as Pennsylvania and Maryland—as they worked to restore gas service.

Utility crews were able to stop the leak at Heathcote Boulevard and Heritage Hunt Drive just before 9:30 p.m. Friday, some five-and-a-half hours after the gas leak was initially reported.

Representatives from Columbia Gas were canvassing the neighborhood Saturday to help restore service at the affected homes, said Innes. By 11:30 a.m., 1,818 residents were still without gas.

With daytime temperatures in the mid-30s and wind chills resulting in temperatures down into the upper 20s, Innes said crews had orders to restore service to everyone who was home by early Saturday evening at the latest.

Crews were going door-to-door with photo identification to restart gas meters and to re-light equipment. Customers who were not home when reps came received a door hanger asking them to call the gas company to return and restore the service.

Innes said people should not attempt to relight gas equipment themselves.

Residents are also asked to call the company, at 800-544-5606 if they smell gas. They are also asked not to use matches or motorized tools or appliances if the smell of gas is evident.

Shortly after 6:30 p.m., Innes reported that 150 homes were still without gas. Most of those residents weren't home when crews came by to restart the gas.

Innes said reps were making second and third visits to the still affected homes and would be available through the night.

The gas leak was reported as the Friday rush hour was just heating up, forcing the closing of Heathcote Boulevard. U.S. 29 and John Marshall Highway were filled with detoured and confused residents wanting to know how they were going to get back into their homes at the height of the incident Friday night.

Catharpin Road was used as the only entrance into the Heritage Hunt neighborhood, while Heathcote Boulevard was closed.

More than 20 shops and offices near the cut gas main were also affected. Without the gas, they also had no heat and were forced to close early.

Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.