By David Betancourt
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 20, 2008

More than 400 residences in Shaw lost gas in their homes yesterday after a valve was shut off at Ninth and S streets NW.

Areas affected were U street NW to the north, Eighth Street NW to the east, Rhode Island Avenue NW to the south and Vermont Avenue NW to the west. Washington Gas identified the problem yesterday morning after receiving calls from customers complaining of having no gas in their homes.

Washington Gas is investigating why the valve was shut off, a company spokesman said.

After the source of the problem was identified yesterday, the company turned off all gas in the affected area.

"We had to turn everything off first" before restoring service, said Eric Grant, a Washington Gas spokesman. "All gas service in all the affected areas then re-pressurize, which means making sure we have enough pressure in order to deliver natural gas into the system."

Washington Gas officials worked with the D.C. fire department and volunteers from Serve DC and the Red Cross to notify residents about the gas problem.

Serve DC and the fire department went door-to-door to check on residents, who were offered space heaters and given information about heated locations if their homes were cold.

The fire department was notified about the gas problem about 7:15 a.m., said Kenneth Crosswhite, deputy fire chief.

"We didn't realize it was this large until we met with a representative from Homeland Security and Washington Gas during our initial briefing," Crosswhite said.

Crosswhite said the biggest issue was making sure residents would have their gas restored, something that could not happen until Washington Gas and fire officials were certain that water heaters and stoves had been turned off.

Washington Gas officials waited for many residents to return home after the evening rush hour to make sure that residents were aware of the situation. If residents could not be reached, Grant said, notices would be left on their doors.

"If we can't locate the homeowner . . . we will leave a door hanger or a notice stating how you can contact us and to please contact us right away," Grant said yesterday. "We will stay here until everyone has their gas back on."