Crash damages gas line, forces some evacuations in Punta Gorda
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — About 22 Punta Gorda homes had to be evacuated after a car crash on US 41 damaged a gas line Wednesday night, officials said. Two cars collided on US 41 near Acline Road around 8:30 p.m. A car involved in the crash swerved off the road and ran over a pressurized natural gas main. The damaged line started spewing out natural gas and was making a noise that sounded similar to a jet engine, rescue crews with Charlotte County Fire & EMS said. Because the damaged gas line had a risk of exploding, 22 homes had to be evacuated, rescue crews said. Charlotte County...