YFD responds to gas leak, causing a road closure
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) responded to reports of a gas leak Sunday night.
In a press release, the incident happened in the area of S. 4th Avenue and W. 32nd Street at around 6:30pm after a 100-gallon propane tank leaked near a home.
Once they responded, YFD says crews "immediately upgraded the incident to include a Hazmat response, dispatching YFD Spec Ops."
YFD says Yuma Engine 2 (YE02) later arrived on scene and "confirmed the presence of propane in the air, utilizing air monitoring meters" and protective equipment.
However, YFD says YE02 unsuccessfully attempted to secure the leaking value, but other arriving units, such as Yuma Engine 3, Engine 6, Engine 5 and Ladder 1, "began evacuating the surrounding homes and deployed hose lines for fire protection."
YFD said Yuma Duty Chief 1 and YFD Hazardous Materials Technicians "agreed on an incident action plan that included 'flaring' the propane tank."
YFD says crews deployed the flaring kit in the middle of a roadway "to avoid nearby hazards," connected the tank and disposed the propane product while hose lines remained deployed "for safety" and crews "continuously provided air quality measurements."
"We essentially set up a big candle in the middle of the road so we take the propane from the tan and burn it off to safely dispose of the propane versus having it leaking out into the atmosphere," said YFD Capt. David Padilla.
One neighbor says he heard the commotion and went to go check it out.
"When I went farther south, that's when I saw the flame, and that's when I was told by residents here that they'd had a gas leak, and that they had evacuated the park across the street," said Jerry Flavin, a neighbor of the incident.
YFD shares how to detect a gas leak, and what to do if you do find one.
"Whether it's propane or natural gas, have an odorant that's been put into the gas so that you can smell it, and so if you smell gas, call 911. We want you to evacuate the area, check any of the devices that you use gas, like your stove. Make sure that they're not turned on, but then evacuate the area call 911," said Capt. Padilla.
Furthermore, YFD said the road closure lasted approximately 2.5 hours and no injuries were reported.
Jana Loveless, a resident who lives nearby, said she hadn't been able to get home in hours.
"And a couple of hours since I turned the corner onto South Fourth Avenue extension to go home, and the street is lined with fire trucks, police, and the road is totally blocked. They tell me from 32nd to 14, County 14...that's why I kind of went away and did some other things because I didn't want to be close, although my husband's in that park and all my neighbors," Loveless shared.
