Photo by Nathan Gray

Workers for the city of Clemson and the Fort Hill Gas Authority repair a broken natural gas line near Mac's Drive In on Pendleton Street just past the Pickens County line on Thursday morning.

Photo by Nathan Gray

A leaking natural gas pipe line near Mac's Drive In on Pendleton Street in Pendleton was cause for concern on Thursday.

CLEMSON — A natural gas leak happened mid-morning Thursday when a city of Clemson Water Department crew that was working in front of Mac’s Drive-In on Pendleton Road to repair a water leak inadvertently struck a Fort Hill Natural Gas Company line.

The 4-inch, pressurized gas line began spewing natural gas into the air along with asphalt, rocks and mud as the water department crew scrambled to safety.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene in Clemson, and Pendleton Road was blocked to prevent any accidental combustion of the natural gas.

Bill Daniel, Clemson University Fire Chief, along with other fire department equipment, responded to the accident and kept spectators several hundred yards away from the gas main break. Daniel said the gas main was turned off, and gas was vented from the main so that repairs could be made.

At least three businesses were affected by the break and were evacuated.

Mac’s Drive-In, Robeson Chiropractic Clinic and the I Am Worship Church, all in the 400 block of Pendleton Road, were asked to vacate the premises until the gas was vented.

Complicating the situation was the leaking waterline, which was causing mud formation around the gas main, officials said.

“We have repair crews on the scene, and they will stay there until the gas main is restored,” said Dale Hampton, chief executive officer for Fort Hill Natural Gas in Easley. “We are sorry for the inconvenience to those businesses involved, but this was an accident.I am sure that some of our customers will need to have pilot lights relit, and we will be going door to door to check on these folks. There is no immediate danger to anyone, and the situation will be handled most likely by the end of the day.”