A road construction crew hit a gas pipe in Taoyuan on Friday afternoon, leaving one gas company worker with burns — a small-scale accident, but a reminder of how risky utility work near live gas lines can be.

• Crews digging on Zhongzheng Road in Taoyuan's Taoyuan District broke a gas line early in the afternoon.
• A 48-year-old gas company employee suffered first-degree burns to his head and neck and second-degree burns to both arms.
• Firefighters treated him at the scene and sent him to hospital; he stayed conscious and is not in serious condition.
• Crews sprayed water to keep the area safe while gas company staff sealed the leak within an hour.

Outlook: The gas company and fire officials still have to work out exactly why the line ruptured, and the answer will likely shape how digging near buried pipes is handled locally.