Vehicle crash causes gas line to leak in Fairfax County

A vehicle crash caused a high-pressure gas line to leak in Fairfax County, Virginia, prompting authorities to close Ox Road and to evacuate nearby areas Wednesday.

The single-vehicle crash happened in the area of Ox Road and Burke Center Parkway in Fairview just before 11 a.m.

Fire department officials said the driver of the vehicle struck a regulator station that services a 12-inch gas line, causing a leak. Crews secured the line just before 1:30 p.m.

“We were able to locate the valve to reduce the pressure and subsequently stop the leak,” said David Barlow, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue’s deputy chief of special operations.

The driver was taken to the hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.

WTOP Traffic reported that Ox Road has reopened in both directions after an hourslong closure Wednesday.

Following the crash, a strong smell of gas permeated the area and fire officials said they evacuated a nearby elementary school, shopping center, daycare facility, church and an animal hospital.

Initially crews evacuated 300 feet around the crash site, but that zone was extended to 500 feet “out of an abundance of caution,” Barlow said.

During an afternoon news conference, Barlow said fire officials were beginning to release people back into the evacuated areas.

Barlow added situations dealing with natural gas are concerning but Wednesday’s weather conditions worked in favor of crews.

“It is concern, but given the weather conditions are in our favor today, the plume was able to exit and go pretty much straight up,” Barlow said.

WTOP reached out to Washington Gas for more information.

It’s not clear what caused the vehicle to crash.

Barlow said that witnesses saw the vehicle driving in the southbound lanes before the crash. Officials said the investigation into the collision is ongoing.

Below is a map of the area where the gas leak took place: