San Diego Gas & Electric lists precautions to avoid to another San Bruno

In the wake of the San Bruno disaster, the power company in San Diego is warning customers to be vigilant for gas leaks that, while "rare," are highly flammable.

The most telltale sign is a distinctive smell.

But there are other ominous indications -- a hissing, whistling or roaring sound, or mysteriously dead vegetation -- says San Diego Gas & Electric Co., which serves San Diego County and southern Orange County

Other tips: Don't do your own investigation. Call the company: (800) 611-7343.

"No damage is too small to report if a leak is suspected," said the company statement.

Leaks can be caused by corrosion, natural disasters or third-party contractors. Gas lines are not marked for the public. Anyone doing construction or landscaping digging should call 811 for help in avoiding the lines.

-- Tony Perry in San Diego

Comments

[Melissa Howe]

It sounds like San Bruno residents did report a smell during the weeks before the explosion. The good news: Utility companies will now pay more attention to such reports.

[Melissa Howe]

It sounds like San Bruno residents did report a smell during the weeks before the explosion. The good news: Utility companies will now pay more attention to such reports.

[charles vaden]

In the town of Johnstown Colorado there are three pipelines side by side that run thru a residential section and they all run under or very close to a school buss stop where 30 plus children and about 5 adults linger for about 30 minutes each day waiting for the buss to pick them up.The pipelines "Sinclair oil" "and Xcel gas" dont seem to give it a second thought, so the San Bruno of Johnstown just sits underground waiting for it's chance to snuff out the lives of these children and adults. When i suggested to (Steve Roth) spokesman for Xcel that the company pay to have the buss location changed to a different spot, his reply, NOT MY JOB, where are the morals of these creeps.The one pipeline owned by Sinclair has been buried at this location for 37 years, thats 12 years beyond it's high risk end of life-----lets see, $10,000,000 per each life lost of 30 plus children----Sinclair and Xcel says, NO PROBLEM.

Charles Vaden
Johnstown Colorado