One person was injured and residents were temporarily displaced after a car crashed into a townhouse and caused a natural gas leak in Cary Monday afternoon.
The Cary Fire Protection District responded around 4:55 p.m. Monday to the 1200 block of West Lake Drive for a report of a vehicle crash into a residence.
Initial reports indicated that the driver was trapped inside the vehicle and that a natural gas line had been struck, according to Cary Fire Protection District Public Information Officer Alex Vucha.
Firefighters arrived within four minutes and found a sedan that had left the roadway and collided with the side of the home, shearing off the natural gas meter servicing the residence.
Vucha said the vehicle came to rest directly on top of the sheared-off gas meter, further complicating the situation.
The male driver was safely removed from the vehicle within minutes and was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Nicor Gas was requested to the scene to assess and mitigate the active gas leak.
Firefighters evacuated the affected four townhouses as a precaution, Vucha said. They also deployed a hose line to the building in preparation for a fire.
Nicor Gas determined that excavation was necessary to locate and secure the underground gas line.
A digging crew was called to the scene and gas service was successfully shut off at 8:15 p.m.
Vucha said the vehicle was removed from the scene after the gas leak was contained.
The building sustained minor structural damage and the building department was notified for further evaluation.
The Cary Public Works Department also responded to assist with the incident.
“We appreciate the cooperation of local residents who were temporarily unable to access their homes due to the incident,” Vucha said.