Gas Leak Forces Evacuation In Downtown Eugene (Photo) -10/25/24

Eugene, OR.  Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a gas leak that forced evacuations in downtown Eugene early Friday morning.  Firefighters were dispatched at 12:59 AM on October 25th to reports of a gas smell outside a cafe in the Market District located at 550 Oak St.  Arriving crews smelled gas in the area and used specialized monitors that detected low levels of gas present.  The first priority was to check for gas above the cafe in the Market District Commons apartments to determine if there was a life safety threat.  There was gas detected in the apartment building and a full evacuation was initiated.  While several crews worked to evacuate the building with the support of responding EPD officers, the truck crews forced entry in to the cafe.  Once inside the cafe high levels of gas were detected and the leak was addressed.  

Once the building was evacuated and the leak mitigated, crews worked to ventilate the building.  Command staff coordinated with NW Natural to determine the building was safe to occupy once again.  There were no injuries reported and residents were evacuated for about 2 hours.  We appreciate Eugene Police for their support on this incident and want to recognize the Gordon Hotel for providing a safe space to house evacuees.