20 to 30 homes evacuated over SLC gas leak

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Salt Lake City crews evacuated residents from 20 to 30 homes Monday afternoon after detecting a gas leak.

Questar workers, during a routine inspection, found the leak in a neighborhood near the intersection of 800 East and Roosevelt Avenue about 3 p.m., said company spokesman Darren Shepherd.

The utility company shut off gas to 20 to 30 homes in the area and evacuated residents, Shepherd said. Salt Lake City police and fire crews blocked off the area and encouraged motorists to avoid it.

Questar excavated gas lines at the intersection and located the leak, Shepherd said. By 9 p.m., residents with homes north of Browning Avenue and south of Emerson Avenue were permitted to return to their homes, he said. People in eight to 10 homes immediately surrounding the intersection would remain displaced overnight, he said.

Crews were waiting for residual gas in the ground to dissipate to a safe level Monday night, Shepherd said, and would complete the repair Tuesday morning.

mnoble@sltrib.com

Twitter: @mnoblenews