Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS

MERRIMACK – On Tuesday, Merrimack Fire Rescue, and Merrimack Police responded to a business on DW Highway where a vehicle which struck a gas line.

The truck labeled with Amazon Delivery logos is one of many trucks which are parked at the location each night. The truck backing into a parking spot struck the a gas line sheering it off. Natural gas from the line immediately started filling the air, and could be heard as the high pressure remained uncontrollable.

Merrimack Fire Rescue notified Liberty Utilities who responded. The crews who responded had a difficult time locating the shut off for the gas line to the property.

Merrimack Fire crews stretched hose lines and spraying water streams to prevent ignition.

After 2-hours from the initial response the gas to the property was shut down.

Several drivers returning their trucks from the delivery routes were forced to wait for the situation to be made safe.

MFR Chief Matthew Duke said that the high winds help mitigate the escaping gas. Also Chief Duke said that natural gas travels up, if it had been propane it would have been a much more difficult situation.

MFR remained on scene for nearly 3 hours. Crews from Merrimack Fire were stretched thin to be able to respond to multiple other calls. Several calls came in during the same time period for trees, and wires down.

Liberty Utilities will work to replace the broken gas line.