VANCOUVER, Wash. – A damaged natural gas line forced evacuations in a Vancouver neighborhood Tuesday morning after a contractor struck the pipe during digging work, officials said.
According to the Vancouver Fire Department, crews were dispatched around 10:22 a.m. to the 6000 block of Northeast 60th Avenue following reports of a broken gas line. Firefighters arriving on scene detected a strong odor of natural gas and quickly determined that nearby homes were at risk.
Approximately 20 homes were evacuated as a precaution while crews worked to secure the area. The department deployed three fire apparatus and a battalion chief, who coordinated efforts to isolate the scene and conduct ongoing air monitoring…