Christmas Eve Gas Leak Near Charlie Brown’s is Fixed

A christmas eve natural gas leak at the intersection in front of Charlie Brown’s was attended within minutes. The gas main was repaired by 3:30 a.m. on Christmas, PSE&G told Pascack Press. | Google Street View image recorded 2018

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—Township police, Paramus police, and Bergen County Sheriff’s Office officers spent Christmas Eve 2019 and the early morning hours of Christmas Day detailed to protect PSE&G crews looking for—and finding—a natural gas leak on Linwood Avenue near Charlie Brown’s Fresh Grill, at 95 Linwood Ave.

East Linwood from Godwin Road to Highland Avenue was closed in both directions due to the emergency work. 

According to a PSE&G spokeswoman on Dec. 31, the cause of the leak remained under investigation.

She said the call came in at 1:52 p.m. on Dec. 24 and that the utility had investigators and repair personnel on the scene 12 minutes later.

The gas main was repaired by 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 25, she said. 

“It was a decent amount of work,” she said.

She added that no customers lost their gas service.

The utility says on its website that natural gas is odorless and colorless. A chemical odorant is added to natural gas before use so that leaks can more easily be detected. An unpleasant “rotten egg” smell can alert you to a potential gas leak.

PSE&G says that gas that has escaped into the air could combust if it comes into contact with an ignition source, such as an open flame, or a spark from a light switch, appliance, or car engine. 

To avoid explosion risks, it’s important to report suspected gas leaks immediately—do not assume that someone else will report the problem. 

For more information visit nj.pseg.com.