SPOKANE-- Crews responded to a 6 inch gas line break on Spokane's South Hill Friday afternoon.
The break occurred around 12:45 p.m. on Friday when construction crews hit a six inch gas line while working on a road repaving project on 29th Avenue.
Emergency crews evacuated homes, day cares, apartments and businesses near 29th and Latawah. An STA bus was called to assist with evacuations. 50 to 150 people had to evacuate from the area of 29th and Grand.
The leak sounded like a hot air balloon according to witnesses.
Residents at Manito Garden Apartments, a complex that houses seniors and the physically disabled, said they could smell the gas in their apartments.
The Red Cross was requested to the scene.
Crews blocked off 30th west of Grand, Latawah, and 29th.
Spokane Fire Chief Bobby Williams with Spokane Fire Department said the gas line was nearly all blocked around 1:30 p.m. The line was not completely shut off but significantly reduced. Fire officials said around 1:45 2 out of 3 of the valves were closed in the affected line.
Around 3:30 p.m. Avisita crews gave area residents and businesses the 'all clear.'
