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@BendFireRescue
Bend Fire Department responded to a report of a natural gas smell at the Bend Town Center along 3rd Street at NE Franklin. An odor was detected inside and outside of several suites, alerting the occupants to call 911 and evacuate. When crews arrived they found much of the complex, including Ace Hardware and Safeway, evacuating. Bend Police assisted with the evacuation of the approximately 100+ occupants of the 7 businesses affected. Traffic was stopped from entering the parking lot throughout the incident, Bend Public Works set up barriers to assist with that.
Fire crews worked with CNG and PPL crews to identify the source of the smell. After searching all portions of the complex and finding no readings of gas inside the building the occupants were allowed to return to the building. The building was fully evacuated for about an hour while crews searched the building. The source of the smell was narrowed due to a malfunctioning HVAC unit on the roof above the UPS Store. The property managers and HVAC techs are working on making repairs to the unit.