Incident Response - West Bangs Ave Gas Release/Fire![]()
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On Wednesday afternoon, Neptune Township Office of Emergency Management's HazMat Team responded to West Bangs Ave and Green Grove Rd alongside Neptune FD, PD, and EMS for a reported gas release and fire. Upon arrival, a large flame was observed shooting up from a hole in the road, next to a downed utility wire. It was determined that a high-voltage wire had fallen to the ground and caused a buried high-pressure gas line to rupture. ![]()
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Evacuations of the surrounding residences and the Little Class Preschool began immediately and all residents, children, and staff were escorted safely from the area. NJ Natural Gas and JCP&L responded to the scene and began efforts to stop the leak, which resulted in a large-scale power and gas outage impacting much of western Neptune Township, including traffic lights on RT 66 and RT 33. As NJNG worked to stop the leak, NTOEM HazMat conducted air monitoring of the surrounding area, utilizing handheld and wireless area gas detection meters and infrared detection equipment to monitor the level of combustible gas in the air (LEL) and the concentration of the gas (PPM) to help determine if additional evacuations were needed.![]()
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At approximately 9:20PM, the gas line was shut off and the release was stopped. Following the shutoff, NTOEM HazMat conducted air monitoring in the Little Class Preschool and, upon discovering elevated readings, successfully ventilated the school with NFD. NTOEM Leadership conducted a meeting with JCP&L and NJNG representatives to ensure the priority would be ensuring the safety of the residents in the area and assuring the rapid restoration of utilities to those impacted. At the conclusion of the incident, six residences remained without gas service and an estimated 80 residences remained without power. ![]()
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Thanks to the teamwork and expertise of Neptune's emergency responders, no injuries were reported and there was no property damage outside of the road and utility pole as a result of this incident. Thank you for the patience of all those impacted by the evacuation, the gas/power outages, and the road closures!![]()
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Update 10:00PM - The gas release has been stopped, Neptune OEM HazMat and NJ Natural Gas have conducted air monitoring and all evacuated residents are safe to return to their homes. NJ Natural Gas will be making contact with impacted customers regarding the restoration of their gas service. JCP&L is working to restore power to the impacted residences.![]()
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Update 8:15PM - NJ Natural Gas is estimating 2-3 hours to stop the natural gas release, at which time they will be contacting all impacted customers to restore gas service. JCP&L has restored power to most residences, but they are still reporting up to 100 customers without power. Road closures remain in the area of Green Grove Rd and West Bangs Ave, and are expected to continue throughout the night for repairs. The majority of evacuated residents have returned to their homes, with the exception of those houses in the immediate area of the gas release.![]()
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Update 6:10PM - JCP&L has restored power to much of the impacted homes. NJ Natural Gas is still working to stop the leak, there is no estimated restoration time for impacted gas service.![]()
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Update 5:30PM - There is currently no estimated restoration time for gas or power. JCP&L is on scene working to isolate the immediate area and restore power to surrounding neighborhoods. NJ Natural Gas is still working to stop the gas leak.![]()
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Original Post 4:30PM - Neptune OEM HazMat is on scene with a natural gas leak and fire at Green Grove Rd and West Bangs Ave. Residences and businesses in the area of the leak have been evacuated, avoid the area. If you live in the area of Green Grove and West Bangs, keep your doors and windows closed. Due to the fire, a large power outage is impacting western Neptune Township including the traffic lights on RT 66 and RT 33. No injuries have been reported.![]()
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More tidal flooding is expected for tonight/tomorrow morning. Expect some inundation of roadways and do not drive around any barricades! Most impactful flooding will be around the tidal Delaware River, where locally major tidal flooding remains possible. #NJwx #PAwx #DEwx #MDwx
⚠️ Widespread coastal flooding is forecast with the Thursday night to Friday morning high tide as strong onshore winds develop. The greatest impacts from flooding are forecast to occur along the areas in red, where moderate coastal flooding is forecast. If you live near areas prone to coastal flooding, now is the time to prepare to protect your property. #NJwx #DEwx #MDwx #PAwx
