Gas leak closes Avenue A in Turners Falls

TURNERS FALLS — The portion of Avenue A between Third and Fourth streets was closed Friday afternoon as firefighters worked to control a gas leak that was reported in the basement of The Upper Bend cafe.

Officials from Berkshire Gas and Eversource joined Turners Falls firefighters at around noon to evacuate all buildings on the street and try to remedy the leak. Berkshire Gas employees were using a backhoe to dig a hole on the side of the road.

Turners Falls Fire Chief Todd Brunelle said the electric and gas companies cut utilities upon reports of the leak. He said at 12:30 p.m. that although no injuries had been reported, he anticipated the road would be closed for “at least two hours.”

By 4 p.m., the blocked-off section of Avenue A had reopened.

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.