Charlotte fire officials say the fires that some people are reporting this week in the Ballantyne area of south Charlotte are actually part of a line-purging operation by Piedmont Natural Gas.
Fire Capt. Mark Basnight said 911 operators are getting periodic calls from the public, reporting the fires. He said people who live or travel in the south Charlotte area may see the flames in the next few days.
Basnight asks that before calling 911, people should note the color of the flame, whether it is accompanied by smoke, and whether the flame is growing in intensity. He said there usually is no smoke with the cleaning of the gas lines, and flames typically will not intensify.
Anyone with questions about the line-purging operation should contact Piedmont Natural Gas, at 800-752-7504.
