Leland Street News

Jim Strother found these two reports on the sudden emergency evacuation of Leland Street neighbors....read details below:
Chevy Chase Gas Leak-Evacuation
Last Edited: Thursday, 01 Nov 2007, 4:03 PM EDT
Created: Thursday, 01 Nov 2007, 3:58 PM EDT
Developing Story
CHEVY CHASE, Md. (AP) -- At least a dozen homes have been evacuated in Chevy Chase after a construction crew apparently broke a six-inch underground gas line.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer says rescuers were called to the scene about 2:30 p.m. He says more evacuations might be necessary if the gas leak is not contained.
It's not clear how long people will be kept out of their homes.
Piringer says Washington Gas crews are on the scene but will have to excavate in the area to find the source of the leak. It happened on Leland Street in Chevy Chase between East-West Highway and Bradley Lane.

Residents were given about three minutes notice to vacate their home. The situation had us all on our cell phones making arrangements for all things scheduled for the afternoon from the children's car pools to cab rides out of the area till the situation was corrected. No one was permitted to use their cars. Everyone was rushed to the furthest ends of the block. Falk was running with one barefoot and one sock. Vicky was in stocking feet. Arthur Forrest was wearing his comfy bedroom slippers. Knut was concerned about being able to get his suitcase for a flight later that evening.
Jill Bateman, Jim Strother, Bill Cosmas all had their dogs on leashes. Linda Lannom craddled her cat in her arms the whole while and Arthur and Marcy Forrest had their cats in a cat tote. Barbara Fendrick kindly gave the Forrests a ride into Bethesda where, by amazing coincidence they had their car recently tuned up at Community Auto Shop and it was ready for pick up. Maggie Simpson phoned Michael to handle the after school pick up and Mary Stuart Proctor was busy on the phone making her own arrangements. One group of neighbors was rushed to Meadow Lane end of the block and another group of neighbors found safe harbor under the pergola in Florence Lloyd's garden. Molly Strother and Farrell Cosmas were just returning home after their afternoon activities elsewhere when they discovered the street under emergency mode. They parked their cars away from Leland Street and then walked up to Florence's home and joined the group seated in her garden.

Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007
Gas main break evacuates 12 houses in Chevy Chase
by Audrey Dutton | Staff Writer
Emergency responders evacuated 18 people and six pets from houses in Chevy Chase after a gas leak was reported along the 4100 block of Leland Street this afternoon.
The incident caused no injuries or fires, according to Pete A. Piringer, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman.
A Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission contractor struck a high-pressure gas line beneath the pavement on Leland Street while doing work around 2:30 p.m., Piringer said.
‘‘We currently have crews out there repairing the line.”
Several streets in the immediate vicinity were closed for several hours, and fire and rescue personnel remained in the area as of early evening.

HALLOWEEN GETS OFF TO A FINE START WITH COSTUMES, PARADE, GAMES, HAUNTED HOUSE AND A BOUNTIFUL BUFFET

A very Grand Marshall, wonderful costumes, prizes, games, spooky happenings in the Payne Haunted House all made for a fun filled afternoon for all who shared the day.

The parade was followed by the Payne family's very warm welcome to their very spooky, creepy, haunted house. The children's reaction ranged from delighted to terrified to feeling brave to have survived the tour of 4138 Leland Street's lower level.