Water Tower Collapse Triggers Gas Leak, Evacuation

Residents of Blueberry Lane were evacuated Friday evening after a water tower collapse on Jonspin Road caused a gas leak in the area.

A member of the Water Department said the tower, which collapsed around 6 p.m., is not a town owned tower and was installed when Jonspin Road was built.

It is located behind P.J. Dionne Company, Inc., at 60 Jonspin Road. When the tower fell, it landed on several pick up trucks and took down multiple trees with it.

When firefighters arrived at the scene, they smelled gas and evacuated residents from nearby Blueberry Lane. As of about 6:40 p.m., the gas was shut off and residents were allowed back in their homes.

A witness at the scene said there are no injuries and personnel are assessing the damage and trying to figure out the cause.

According to the Wilmington Patch directory, "P.J. Dionne is a mechanical contractor that designs, builds and services plumbing systems for office buildings, educational institutions, hospitals, restaurants, shopping malls and other clients."

Check back with Wilmington Patch as details become available.