Gas leak prompts evacuation of Rexburg apartment complex
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REXBURG — Some Brigham Young University-Idaho students living near Porter Park were temporarily forced to leave their homes Monday morning while crews repaired a gas line.
The Rexburg police and fire departments responded to the area near Birch Plaza Apartments for a reported gas leak just before 8 a.m.
Police said a detective in the area became aware of the leak and called it in to dispatch. It was reported that a construction company working in the area had mistakenly hit and broke a large natural gas line.
Residents of the Birch Plaza Apartments were evacuated while crews attempted contain the break and evaluate the situation.
“The leak is not stopped as of now. Crews have to dig a portion of Main Street up to access a valve,” Rexburg Police Capt. Randy Lewis told EastIdahoNews.com around 9:45 a.m. “South Second West between West Second South and West Third South will be closed for several hours while crews trench out a portion of the road to repair the line.”
Residents have been allowed back into the Birch Plaza Apartments as Lewis said the gas is being dissipated by the wind and does not pose a threat to them. However, police are asking that people stay away from the construction area.