Gas service restored to hundreds in Salem after gas main break
Crews work overnight, through morning to restore service
Crews work overnight, through morning to restore service
Crews work overnight, through morning to restore service
All gas customers who lost service Monday after a gas main break in Salem have had their service restored, utility officials said.
More than 300 customers lost service after an excavator hit a gas main Monday morning on Route 28. Unitil officials said crews restored service overnight night to critical buildings such as assisted care facilities and schools.
Officials said one challenge workers encountered was not having access to businesses during off hours to relight pilot lights.
This time of year, heat is critical for all businesses, but especially for The Birth Cottage, a free-standing birthing center. Owner Adrian Feldhusen said workers made some changes knowing there was no heat in the building.
"We anticipated the worst this morning," Feldhusen said. "We all dressed warmly. We hope for the best. If it had been below 50, we were going to cancel our office hours, but I knew crews were in the area to turn the heat back on."
Feldhusen said the business has another center in Milford, so women in labor could have been sent there. She said she's looking into alternative heating sources in case something like this happens again.