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NEWS
Gas line rupture in Wayne prompts area evacuation
WAYNE -- Businesses in and around Builder's Supply and the Wal-Mart Plaza on U.S. 152 in Wayne were evacuated for about half an hour after a vehicle struck a natural gas line about 4 p.m. Thursday, Wayne County authorities said.
About 50 people were evacuated from Builder's Supply and KFC as a precaution, and U.S. 152 was shut down in that area for about 25 minutes. Wayne Elementary School also was evacuated.
A Chevy Cavalier rolled into a natural gas meter in front of Builder's Supply, rupturing a gas line and injuring the car's owner in the process.
Wayne Peterson said when he parked the car at Builder's Supply, he inadvertently left it in drive instead of putting it into park.
"I guess I just forgot to put it in park. So when I came back out, I thought my car wouldn't start, so I tried to jump it," Peterson said.
When Peterson went under his car to try to get it started, the car started to slowly go forward, rolling over him.
"I was still under it, and it just started rolling. I didn't realize what was going on, I just felt the pain and the burning," Peterson said.
Peterson said he suffered burns from contacting hot engine parts, an injured shoulder, bruises and a swollen knee. He declined being taken to a hospital.
"I'm glad it wasn't worse than it really was. I could have died," he said. "I definitely won't forget and leave my car in drive again, that's for sure. Today turned out different than expected."
Wayne Police Chief Gary Porter said at first people thought a propane tank had been hit.
Porter said workers nearby were able to quickly shut off the natural gas line.
Keith Nelson from Builder's Supply said he was more worried about the people in the store than anyone else.
"You never know what could happen, and we didn't want any of the customers harmed," Nelson said.
Consumers Gas Utility Co. repaired the leak around 4:20 p.m.
Several agencies responded to the incident, including Wayne County Sheriff's Department, Wayne Police Department, West Virginia State Police, Wayne Volunteer Fire Department and Lavalette Volunteer Fire Department.
