A recent gas leak in east Fort Worth led employees and patrons of a local business to evacuate while utility crews worked to stop the leak, according to a recent article in The Star-Telegram.
The gas leak occurred on Martin Street in Fort Worth, where multiple utility crews were working on a project. Fire department officials described the gas leak as quite large. The fire department helped the business closest to the site, located at Village Creek Road and U.S. 287, evacuate. The business was the only building that needed to be evacuated due to the leak.
Natural gas and water utility workers from Atmos Energy and the Fort Worth municipal water service managed to plug the leak approximately two hours after it began. The Fort Worth Fire Department credited the high winds brought in by a passing storm system with helping prevent further evacuations or damage. The winds dissipated the natural gas, preventing any major injury or property damage.
Broken or damaged natural gas lines may leak, and the buildup of natural gas in a building or outdoors in calm weather can cause illness, injury, and property damage. Natural gas is highly flammable and is also toxic to breathe. Regularly checking gas valves and gas-using appliances for leaks is one way to help prevent damage from occurring.
In its natural state, natural gas has no odor. The odor is added by utility companies to help warn home and business owners of the presence of the gas. If you smell natural gas in your home or business, help protect yourself and others by evacuating to a safe distance and calling 911 or the local fire department immediately.
