Gas Main Ruptured by Construction on Cypress Gardens Boulevard

Published: Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 12:09 p.m. Last Modified: Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 12:09 p.m.

WINTER HAVEN | Crews are working on Cypress Gardens Boulevard to repair a ruptured gas main.

Polk County Fire Rescue responded about 10:15 a.m. to the gas main break at the construction site of a new Pep Boys auto parts store at 5636 Cypress Gardens Blvd. Officials said the 3-inch gas pipe was ruptured by a piece of heavy construction equipment.

Initially, the Discount Tire store across from the site was evacuated, but employees were let back in about 11:15 a.m.

Florida Public Utilities is working to shut the gas supply off and crews are working to open all lanes of Cypress Gardens Boulevard.

Spokesman Dave Walters said Polk Fire Rescue and the Winter Haven Fire Department are on scene as a precaution.

Britt Guyer, who owns the Golden Corral restaurant located within the road closure area, said he's concerned about his business with the road being shut down during lunchtime.

It's like cutting your blood supply off, he said.

As of about 12:15 p.m., crews had closed the leak and were working to repair the broken main.

Terrance Mike, safety coordinator for Florida Public Utilities, said it construction crews hit the pipe and scraped it causing the leak. Crews should be finished repairing it by the end of the day.

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Gas Main Ruptured by Construction on Cypress Gardens Boulevard