Gas leak near South Campus Gateway forces evacuations

Melissa Prax, Logan Hickman
Wed, 14 May 2014 19:18:55 +0000
Campus, evacuation, gas leak, south campus gateway

South Campus Gateway
Credit: Lantern file photo

A gas leak that caused several buildings near South Campus Gateway to be evacuated Wednesday has been contained.

The leak was caused when construction workers hit a two-inch gas main line at approximately 8 a.m. at the intersection of East 11th Avenue and North Pearl Street, according to ABC6.

Shortly after, 11th Avenue from North High Street to Indianola Avenue was closed off and buildings were evacuated for safety precautions, a University Police dispatcher said Wednesday.

About 150 OSU students were temporarily evacuated from residences in the area, according to ABC6.

OSU Emergency Management tweeted from its account, @OSU_EMFP, ?about the leak at about 9:15 a.m.

“Gas leak in the alley behind Potbelly’s building. (Columbus Division of Fire) and Columbia Gas are on scene,” the tweet read.

At 10:36 a.m., Emergency Management tweeted the leak had been contained and buildings could be reentered.

OSU Administration and Planning, Columbia Gas and Columbus Division of Fire representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday morning.

Courtney Cooper, a fourth-year in film studies, said firefighters knocked on her door at 8 a.m. telling her to leave her apartment near East 11th Avenue and North High Street.

“They were banging loudly and profusely,” Cooper said. “I didn’t know what to grab or leave.”

Cooper said she and her roommates were told to walk down Summit Street, a block east of the area that was affected.

“I don’t have many friends in Columbus over the summer so my roommates and I went to the (Ohio) Union,” Cooper said. “I brought a book to read … and money for food.”

She said she was told the leak could be resolved either in the next hour or later in the day. By 11 a.m., she was able to return to her apartment.