SE Redmond natural gas leak prompts evacuations

A construction crew’s backhoe struck a two-inch natural gas line in a southeast Redmond industrial area Friday morning, prompting the evacuation of about four nearby businesses and 15 people for about two hours until the line was shut and the area and buildings ventilated.

Redmond Fire & Rescue crews were called around 10:45 a.m. to the area of Southeast Railroad Boulevard and Cascade Avenue on the reported natural gas leak, said Capt. Ken Brown.

The arriving units learned a contractor construction crew inadvertently struck the gas line with a small backhoe while digging a trench for a new building project. Brown said the crews had taken proper pre-digging precautions, and Cascade Natural Gas confirmed that as well.

The immediate area of the leak is made up of mostly industrial businesses that were evacuated by Redmond police as a precaution, and to eliminate possible ignition sources, the captain said, adding that there were no injuries or property damage.

CNG spokesman Mark Hanson said it took just over an hour for CNG was able to shut down the affected gas line. After that, fire crews ventilated the nearby businesses and tested areas for any residual or trapped natural gas pockets.

The last fire unit cleared the scene around 1:10 p.m., Brown said. Along with fire, police and CNG, Redmond Public Works and Pacific Power also responded to the area.