Southwest Gas still investigating after leak causes evacuation

Villages residents near 43849 W. Kramer Lane were evacuated from the area due to a natural gas leak Tuesday about 6 p.m.

“The fire department notified us that it was an odor complaint and our crews responded quickly,” said Amy Washburn, spokesperson for Southwest Gas. “We were able to find that one of our service lines had been pulled away from one of our main lines, creating a gas leak. We are still investigating the exact cause of it.”

Washburn said investigators suspect the lines were separated by tree roots.

“Evacuations have been lifted. The gas is off,” she said. “We are continuing to get gas out from underground, which is very common in a situation like this. Because the ground is so saturated right now from the recent rain, it makes it a little more difficult to get that gas out. Crews will continue to work until we reach the safest levels we can.”

Washburn did not have an estimate when gas service would be turned back on in the area.

“It shouldn’t be too much longer,” she said.