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Gas leak boots out residents

Rupture forces the evacuation of Valle de Merced apartments

A ruptured gas line began spewing gas about 10 a.m. Monday at the Valle de Merced apartments in the 800 block of Goeglein Gulch Road forcing an evacuation. Six out of 10 buildings, or about two-thirds of the complex, were evacuated, said Karola Hanks, fire marshal with the Durango Fire Protection District.

Residents were allowed to return at 1:30 p.m.

Because of the amount of gas leaking, firefighters feared it was a large, 3-inch line that ruptured from construction work in the area, she said.

Travel on Goeglein Gulch Road was restricted to one lane while firefighters and utility crews investigated the leak.

Atmos Energy dug another hole to the pipeline upstream from the leak to shut off the flow of gas there rather than risk employees’ lives at the location of the rupture, Hanks said.

La Plata Electric Association cut power to the entire Valle de Merced apartments.

Those on the north side of the complex who were not evacuated were asked to close their windows to prevent gas from entering their apartments.

shane@durangoherald.com



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