On top of a hill in Mission Valley at San Diego Gas & Electric’s Skills Training Center Monday morning, utility workers and firefighters showed what can go wrong if you forget to call 811 before digging in the ground.

In this case, it was a loud hiss of gas, then flames shooting about 15 feet in the air after being ignited.

“It's far too common, I think last year we had over 250 incidents like that where somebody dug into the ground and either struck gas or electric infrastructure,” said Kevin Geraghty, SDG&E’s chief safety officer.

San Diego Gas & Electric and San Diego Fire-Rescue team up when it happens in the real world. To avoid it, Geraghty said it's simple.

“Call 811 a couple days ahead of any work around your house,” he said. “The idea is you do not know where underground utili

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