PG&E working to restore power, gas in Moraga after gas line break

MORAGA, Calif. (KGO) -- PG&E crews are working on restoring power and reopening streets in a Moraga neighborhood.

The break occurred at 5 p.m. on Sunday at Center Street and Rheem Boulevard after a traffic signal pole fell into a sinkhole and ruptured a gas line.

The sinkhole is about 10 feet by 10 feet and streets are closed around it. It's believed a storm drain may have eroded which caused the sinkhole.

The Rheem Shopping Center was evacuated on Sunday as a result. The gas line was capped late Sunday night.

RELATED: Moraga shopping center evacuated due to gas leak

Thousands were affected forcing nearby residents to evacuate and businesses to close.

On Monday, some nearby businesses such as a coffee shop, post office and a gym were closed because they had no power.

PG&E says about 35 customers are without power but over 2,000 are still without gas.

"We are working as safely and quickly to get that back turned back on," explained Tamar Sarkeesian, a PG&E spokesperson.

The intersection could be closed for weeks.

PG&E spokesman Nick Stimmel said the utility will have more than 200 employees who will be working throughout today to restore service.

Stimmel said the utility crews will be shutting off individual meters in order to flush the gas line, and then the customers without service will have their pilot lights re-lighted.

Moraga police this morning advised residents that the utility's employees will be going door-to-door to the homes of PG&E customers, and that they should be easily identifiable by their uniform and employee ID.

PG&E will be venting small amounts of natural gas as the broken line is re-pressurized. There are approximately 25 vent sites in the Rheem Valley area that will be staffed with PG&E personnel.

Residents may smell the odor of natural gas, but the natural gas odor will quickly dissipate and will not be harmful.

Residents with questions about someone who is contacting them are asked to call Moraga police at (925) 284-5010.

Bay City News contributed to this report.