Dominion says gas service restored to at least 75% of affected downtown Akron customers

At least 75% of Dominion Energy Ohio customers in downtown Akron who lost natural gas service had their service restored as of Wednesday afternoon, the utility said.

Many customers lost gas service after a major water main break Saturday morning under West Center Street near Akron Children's Hospital flooded natural gas lines. (The hospital has been able to remain open and provide regular services.)

The gas outage left customers without the ability to heat their residences and businesses just as significant cold and snow moved into the region.

The frigid cold and snow also has hindered repair and restoration efforts.

'Thanks, Mother Nature': Downtown Akron power restored. Gas line repairs continue

Besides the gas outage, downtown residents, businesses and government offices were also hit with an unrelated loss of electricity from a fire in an underground vault owned by FirstEnergy Corp. near South Main and Market streets. The Akron utility by Monday afternoon had restored power to its customers.

Dominion has put up as many as 45 affected people in area hotels until their natural gas and heat was restored.

The utility on Wednesday said it is also looking at whether appliances have been affected by the incident.

"Dominion Energy and several contractors are working with customers on a case-by-case basis to get their appliances back in service," spokeswoman Stephanie Moore said. "If a customer believes an appliance has been impacted, and it has not been resolved, they can file a claim by contacting (800) 362-7557."

Road closed: Part of West Exchange Street closed until weekend for gas line repairs in downtown Akron

Dominion brought in crews and hired contractors to help with repairs and to restore natural gas service. The utility will also be looking at how water from the main break was able to get into the natural gas lines.

"Our crews remain focused on getting service safely restored to our customers and have not started the process of determining a root cause," Moore said. "Once restoration is completed, a full investigation will take place."

Part of West Exchange Street will remain blocked off as crews continue to work to repair damage from the water main break. The city said water is trapped in a gas main along West Exchange Street.

Westbound traffic will be maintained between West Bowery and Water streets, but the eastbound direction will be closed. The city said there may traffic delays for westbound motorists as just one lane will be open.

The repairs are expected to be completed by Saturday.

Beacon Journal reporter Jim Mackinnon can be reached at 330-996-3544 or jmackinnon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him @JimMackinnonABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/JimMackinnonABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Gas service restored to 75% of affected downtown Akron customers