Major Gas Leak in Downtown Puyallup, Evacuations Ordered

PUYALLUP, WA— A gas leak in downtown Puyallup forced a major evacuation for much of the day Tuesday.

The evacuation was centered near the intersection of Pioneer Avenue and Meridian Street. Early in the morning Puyallup Police sounded the alarm and posted a map of the affected area and surrounding shelter-in-place order:

According to police, the leak was caused by construction crews who hit a gas main sometime before 5 a.m. Tuesday. A reverse 911 call was sent to warn many nearby residents, but police also spent hours checking the area to make sure everyone safely evacuated.

After more than 12 hours, the evacuation and shelter-in-place order were both lifted around 3:30 p.m. allowing residents to return to their homes, or leave their homes if they had been sheltered inside.

Though the order has been lifted, several roads in the area will remain. Puyallup Police have confirmed that, at the very least, South Meridian Street will be closed from West Steward to 4th Avenue through Wednesday, and others may be closed intermittently as crews use the road for extensive repairs to the gas main.

While the closures anyone with questions or concerns can still call the Puyallup Emergency Management Department at (253) 864-4170.