Gas Leak Causes Evacuation of Two Blocks in Downtown Centralia

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A ruptured natural gas line in the 100 block of Railroad Avenue led to the east side of two blocks on Tower Avenue in downtown Centralia to be evacuated for a brief period Tuesday afternoon.

Riverside Fire Authority crews were dispatched at 1:51 p.m. to an area where some excavation on an ongoing street project had caused a leak. They cleared the scene about 40 minutes later, said Riverside Fire Authority public information officer Scott Weinert.

According to Weinert, Puget Sound Energy arrived quickly to the scene and isolated and repaired the leak. In the moments before, a gas odor was notable in the air and winds that could spread the leak caused a concern, he said.

First responders evacuated the many businesses and buildings in the 100 and 200 block of North Tower Avenue in the meantime. Weinert said the evacuation process went well, and everyone was compliant.

Dennis Koehler, owner of Black Dog Vintage in the 200 block of North Tower Avenue, said he was told by firefighters to evacuate the building at around 2 p.m. and was permitted to be open again for business about 20 to 30 minutes later.

He and a staff member walked through and rounded up some customers, informing them they had to leave.

Fire trucks were parked along Tower Avenue during the ordeal, he said, and an odor of natural gas was strong.

Staff at The Olympic Club told a similar story, saying they were told to leave the building for a brief amount of time, but were allowed to reopen shortly after.

Weinert said such situations are always treated seriously, adding while the leak Tuesday was repaired in a timely manner and no one was hurt, other such incidents have led to explosions. Evacuations of affected areas are precautionary, he said, and Fire Authority personnel were tasked with maintaining a safe zone while Puget Sound Energy fixed the leak.