Gas leak shuts down Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn Heights

November 13, 2023 Mary Frost

Fire fighters and National Grid crew members responded to a broken natural gas main in Brooklyn Heights at Atlantic Avenue and Court Street on Saturday, Nov.11. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

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UPDATE: National Grid contractors continued to work Monday night at the site of Saturday’s gas leak.

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — The smell of gas filled the air on the southern edge of Brooklyn Heights Saturday afternoon, after construction workers accidentally hit a natural gas main at the intersection of Court Street and Atlantic Avenue, across the street from Trader Joe’s.

FDNY received a call that the gas main was struck at 1:55 p.m., according to a Fire Department spokesperson. The department called in National Grid and cordoned off the blocks around the intersection with fire engines and caution tape, leading to blaring horns and traffic jams as responders took gas readings at nearby buildings.

Fire Department vehicles blocked off Atlantic Avenue on Saturday. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

Trader Joe’s was allowed to remain open, but a Walgreens pharmacy on the corner of Court and Atlantic was closed for several hours.

The gas leak was under control by 2:32 p.m., according to FDNY, though the intersection remained blocked for at least another hour. There were no reported injuries.