Palatine police and firefighter/paramedics responded about 8:05 a.m. Wednesday to a report that a construction crew hit and broke a 2-inch gas main at South White Willow Bay West and Illinois Avenue. Workers at the scene reported hearing and smelling gas at the scene before firefighter/paramedics arrived.
Firefighters confirmed a gas leak and have blocked roads at Mallard and White Willow Bay. Firefighters discovered that the leak is a free-flowing gas leak from a 4-inch gas line located in the street. Firefighters reported an elementary school and a high school are located within a two-block distance. Hunting Ridge Elementary School is one block away and William Fremd High School is two blocks away. The gas leak is not expected to affect either school, except for travel to an from the schools, which will be delayed by blocked roads.
Firefighters were taking gas readings and planning a strategy by 8:10 a.m. Wednesday.
NICOR arrived on the scene about 8:29 a.m. Wednesday. Heavy duty crews started arriving about 8:40 a.m. The repair is expected to take a minimum of two to three hours to complete.
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