STANLY COUNTY, N.C. — Thousands of Piedmont Natural Gas customers in Stanly County could be without service until Friday due to a gas line that was damaged by a contractor, the company announced Wednesday afternoon.
About 3,000 customers in Albemarle, Aquadale, Norwood and Oakboro are without service due to the damage, Piedmont Natural Gas said. Multiple crews are on the scene working to repair the line and restore natural gas service to affected customers.
That could take until Friday for some customers.
"Due to the extent of damage and the complexity of repairs required, impacted customers should prepare to be without gas service through Thursday," Piedmont Natural Gas said in a statement posted to its website. "While we anticipate starting to restore service as early as Thursday, Dec. 15, service relights may carry into Friday, Dec. 16."
Contractors struck a main gas line on Barbee's Grove Road, near North Carolina Highway 138.
Nine Stanly County schools were closed Wednesday and will be closed again Thursday:
Stanly County School says these schools are closed for all students and staff Wednesday and Thursday. All athletic events and other after-school activities are canceled for these schools.
The district said the natural gas utility is expecting to have service restored in all schools by Thursday evening, so the district is planning for schools to be back in session on Friday.
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