Updated at 8:26 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 27.
Baldwyn’s main gas line has been repaired following a break near Pine Grove on Saturday, and the process to restore service to all 1,500 customers has begun, but it’s going to take time.
Employees of the Baldwyn Water & Gas Department, along with help from crews from Booneville, Pontotoc and Tennessee, worked through the day and evening Saturday to shut off all meters in the city while the gas line was being repaired. Crews finished that massive chore after midnight. Now, the next leg of work begins.
Mayor Michael James said the city is having to bleed and clear out 11 miles of gas lines before work can begin to restore service to area customers. James said the crew members from Booneville have agreed to return to help Baldwyn employees with going home to home to restore service.
“Someone must be home in order for the gas workers to be able to turn on the meters and light the pilot lights,” James said. “We can’t do it if there is no one there.”
There is no estimate on when the work will be completed, but the restoration process has already begun early this morning.
“This was just an unfortunate accident and we did what we had to do to get it fixed,” James said. “Just know we’re working as fast as we can, but getting to every home is going to take some time and we just ask for patience. I want to thank our guys for working through the night and the guys from Booneville and Pontotoc who have helped us. We’ve got a small crew and this would have taken a lot longer without their help.”
