Gas service still cut off for some in coastal Georgia

ST. SIMONS ISLAND - Most coastal Georgia residents who lost natural gas service Friday when a ruptured gas main exploded have had their service restored, utility officials said Tuesday. <br> <br> A high-pressure gas main at the base of F.J. Torras Causeway blew up Friday evening, causing 3,517 gas customers both homes and businesses in St. Simons Island, Sea Island and a portion of Brunswick to lose service. <br> <br> As of Tuesday afternoon, about 2,500 customers had their service restored, said Nick Gold, spokesman for Atlanta Gas Light Co., which owns the ruptured gas line. <br> <br> The remaining 1,000 customers without service have not been at home when company officials came by to restore service. Gold said the company hoped to have ``99 percent&#39;&#39; of all customers gas service restored by Tuesday evening. <br> <br> The area is a resort community and many of the homes that have not had service restored are second homes with out-of-state owners, Gold said. <br> <br> ``We have been to everyone&#39;s home thus far 3,517 affected meters and have been to all meters at least once,&#39;&#39; Gold said. ``We&#39;re now making second and third attempts to visit the premises somebody has to be home.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Although the ruptured line was repaired Saturday, restoring all customers&#39; service has been a painstaking task, which involves a visit to each customer to turn on the gas, check for leaks and ignite pilot lights of gas appliances. <br> <br> The Friday explosion of the line an eight-inch steel pipe pelted passing cars with bits of dirt and concrete and left a crater 10 feet wide and five feet deep. <br> <br> Officials are still investigating the cause of the gas line rupture. <br> <br> Technicians found that some customers had re-lit the appliances themselves, which Gold said is dangerous. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s an explosive substance,&#39;&#39; Gold said. ``There can be fatalities.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The American Red Cross had opened a shelter for anyone in need, but nobody has taken up the offer. Red Cross officials said they could reopen the shelter if needed.

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