Twenty homes along Stillbrook Estates Drive in the Fenton area were evacuated for several hours Wednesday (April 4) because of a gas leak.
At 4:36 p.m., the Saline Valley Fire Protection District got a call about a natural gas odor around a home at 216 Stillbrook Estates Drive, Chief Bob Dunn said
The 911 dispatcher also contacted the Spire Inc. the natural gas company, Dunn said.
“Work was being done by contractors between 216 and 218 (Stillbrook Estates Drive), and a gas line was ruptured between the two homes,” Dunn said. “Just as a precaution, we evacuated homes on both sides of the street and up and down the street from there.”
AT&T reportedly had subcontractors at the site installing communication lines.
About 30 to 40 people in all were evacuated from the 20 homes or were not allowed to return to them after work, Dunn said.
About 10 people stayed at the Saline Valley’s House 1 at 1771 Springdale Blvd. while they were kept away from their homes. Other residents stayed with neighbors who live in other parts of the subdivision, he said.
The American Red Cross and the Saline Valley Fire CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) responded to the firehouse and served snacks and coffee to those staying there, Dunn said.
The first representative from Spire was on the scene by 5 p.m., and crews arrived by 7 p.m., he said.
“It took some time to find the actual place of the leak,” Dunn said.
Firefighters were stationed at the entrance to the subdivision while the evacuation was in place, he said.
“We received a call from Spire (that people could return home) at 8:30 p.m.,” Dunn said. “Everybody should have been back in their homes by 9 p.m.”