Crime & Safety
14 Homes Evacuated During Spanaway Gas Leak
Firefighters evacuated more than a dozen homes after a backhoe struck a gas line near Spanaway. Residents returned Thursday night.
SPANAWAY, WA — Firefighters evacuated more than a dozen homes in the Spanaway area after backhoe struck a gas line on 203rd Street East Thursday night. Central Pierce Fire and Rescue said houses located along 13th Avenue Court and 14th Avenue were evacuated as a precaution around 5:45 p.m.
UPDATE. We have 6 units on scene. Evacuated about 7 houses and PSE at scene. pic.twitter.com/TKyaDgl9fb
— Central Pierce Fire & Rescue (@CentralPierce) January 31, 2020
Puget Sound Energy crews worked for several hours, digging a second hole to clamp down and contain the leak. Several roads in the area remained closed. Central Pierce Lt. Ben Shepard said residents would be allowed back in their homes after the line was sealed and firefighters cleared each property with gas monitors.
The fire department tweeted the all houses in the area were cleared for re-entry shortly after 8 p.m.
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@PSETalk has repaired the gas leak and we have cleared the homes. Residents can now return with no interruptions to service. Thank you to the citizens for your patience. And thank you to @PSETalk and @PierceSheriff for helping to mitigate the gas leak.
— Central Pierce Fire & Rescue (@CentralPierce) January 31, 2020
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