UPDATE: Evacuated Residents May Return Home; Gas Leak Fixed

Updated: Jan. 15, 9:25 a.m.: Washington Gas sent out an alert Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 11:22 p.m. saying all repairs had been completed and Elm St. N.W. was reopened to traffic.

Updated: Jan. 14, 4:50 p.m.: Washington Gas has secured the leak in the broken gas line, which was caused by a third-party utility, according to a post on the D.C. Fire and EMS Twitter account. Fire personnel have taken new measurements of gas meter levels and are saying it is safe for residents to return to their homes.

WASHINGTON, DC -- A large gas line break Tuesday afternoon forced the evacuation of residents in the Pleasant Plains area, according to posts on the D.C. Fire and EMS Twitter account. Patients and personal also evacuated the Howard Hospital Ambulatory Care Center due to the odor of gas.

A request from Washington Gas went out Jan. 14, around 1:30 p.m., for residents in 5th and Elm streets N.W. to evaluate their homes due to a gas line breach.

By 1:55 p.m., D.C. Fire and EMS units were on the scene, helping evacuate residents from their homes. The Howard Hospital Ambulatory Care Center was also evacuated due to the odor of gas inside. Fire personnel had hose lines in place.

By 2:20 p.m., fire personnel had checked the gas meter levels in the hospital area, determining they were normal and presented no danger. Hospital staff were notified they could begin reoccupying the area they had evacuated. At that time, homes in the 400 block of Elm St., N.W., remained evacuated.

By 3:54 p.m., Washington Gas was working to dig up the street and clamp the broken gas line. The Florida Avenue Baptist Church, located at 623 Florida Ave., N.W., was providing shelter for displaced residents.

Representatives from D.C. Homeland Security, the Mayor's Office of Community Relations and Services and the National Capital Region - American Red Cross are all on the scene assisting residents.

Update gas line breach 400 block Elm St NW. Fast work by @washingtongas in safely securing leak caused by a 3rd party utility. #DCsBravest have taken further readings & homes are safe for residents to return. We will be clearing the scene. pic.twitter.com/r2OpLY0dY7
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) January 14, 2020

Update gas line cut 400 block Elm St NW. @washingtongas working to dig up street & clamp line. Shelter for displaced residents provided at Florida Ave 1st Baptist Church, 623 Florida Ave NW. @DC_HSEMA @DCMOCRS @RedCrossNCR all on scene assisting residents.
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) January 14, 2020

Update Elm St NW gas leak. #DCsBravest have metered the hospital area that was impacted and all levels are normal with no danger. Hospital notified they can reoccupy the section they evacuated. Homes in the 400 block of Elm remain evacuated. pic.twitter.com/620yWKgqtx
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) January 14, 2020

Update large gas line break 400 block Elm St NW. Evacuating all homes in 400 block Elm St NW. Howard Hospital Ambulatory Care Center also evacuating due to odor of gas inside. Protective hose lines on place. @washingtongas now on scene. pic.twitter.com/YswjhRBy7q
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) January 14, 2020

Large gas main breach in the street 5th & Elm Sts NW. Evacuating adjacent residences. Request @washingtongas.
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) January 14, 2020