At least 35 adults and 17 children were evacuated from businesses in North Fort Worth after a natural gas line was damaged, according to the Fort Worth Fire Department.
The call came in just after 4 p.m. Wednesday, sending Fort Worth Fire Department crews to the 2700 block of Basswood Blvd, according to a fire department incident detail report.
Craig Trojacek, the fire department spokesperson, told KERA the people who were evacuated were initially taken to nearby Whitewater Express Car Wash, which shut down its business to provide shelter and drinking water to those who were evacuated. He said no one was taken to the hospital.
He said the people who were evacuated were from Action Behavior Center. Parents were called to pick up their children after the evacuation.
Atmos Energy said in an emailed statement Wednesday afternoon that construction crews unrelated to the gas company damaged a natural gas pipeline in the area.
Atmos crews responded as emergency crews evacuated the nearby buildings and were still on the scene working to effect repairs around 5 p.m., according to the company.
safety of our communities, our employees, and our system is our highest priority, and we appreciate the Fort Worth Fire Department for their support,” the company said in the emailed statement. “If you suspect you have nicked, scraped, or dented a natural gas pipeline, call 911 and then call Atmos Energy’s 24-hour emergency number at 866-322-8667. Even minor damage can weaken a pipeline and lead to a future leak.”
Some streets in the area are closed down while crews work to repair the damage, according to multiple media reports.
Westbound traffic at I-35W from Basswood Boulevard to Horseman Road will be closed for the time being. Fort Worth police said to avoid this area if possible.
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