Firefighters Respond To Natural Gas Leak In Beaverton (Photo) - 12/01/23

At 8:34 a.m. today, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue firefighters were dispatched to a natural gas leak in the 14400 block of Southwest Downing Street in Beaverton. Engine 61 from the Butner Road Station arrived on scene and found a 2-inch natural gas line that was damaged and leaking gas. 

Engine 61 quickly evacuated nearby residences and upgraded the incident to a first alarm, bringing additional firefighters to the scene including specially trained technicians from TVF&R’s Hazardous Materials Team. 

NW Natural personnel arrived on scene and began coordinating efforts for evacuation and stopping the leak with the incident commander and Hazardous Materials Team leaders. Firefighters evacuated a total of 12 residences. Nearby Meadow Park Middle School was notified of the incident. There was no threat to the school, but as a precaution, students were kept inside the building. 

It took NW Natural nearly an hour to isolate and stop the leak. After a thorough check of the nearby area, crews determined it was safe, and all displaced residents were allowed to return to their homes. 

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue was assisted on this incident by NW Natural, American Medical Response, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Beaverton School District. 

Since 1989, TVF&R’s Hazardous Materials Team has mitigated incidents involving dangerous chemicals and toxic materials. The team is based out of fire stations located in the Tualatin and Progress areas. It is one of 14 statewide Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office hazardous materials response teams. TVF&R’s Hazmat Team may respond to incidents in all or portions of Clackamas, Lincoln, Marion, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill counties.