Several buildings in the area of First Avenue North and Broadway in downtown Fargo were evacuated about 10:15 a.m. today after a skid-steer loader hit a natural gas line in an alley.
"Right now there's free flowing gas in the alley, and we are getting some readings inside these buildings, so we're in the process of getting the people out of them until the line can be capped off and the buildings ventilated," Assistant Fire Chief Steve Balstad said about 10:25 a.m., as Xcel Energy workers arrived on the scene.
The loader, which was doing construction work, hit the gas line in the alley between the Avalon Event Center and the former Straus Clothing building at First Avenue and Broadway.
Eileen Ketcham was among the workers in the Black Building at 118 Broadway evacuated by firefighters. She said she didn't smell gas in her mezzanine-level office, but firefighters told her they detected gas in the basement.
For the full story, see Friday's Forum.
ADVERTISEMENT
Readers can reach Forum reporter Mike Nowatzki at (701) 241-5528
Downtown Fargo buildings evacuated after skid-steer loader hits gas line Mike Nowatzki 20071025
