The Wash
a street at night filled with emergency vehicles
D.C. Fire and EMS were on the scene of a gas leak for approximately two hours

Vehicle collision damages a gas meter in Northwest DC

A gas leak forced evacuations in Brightwood Park this evening, with Fire and EMS, Metro Police, and Washington Gas managing the scene overnight.

A gas leak triggered by a vehicle collision brought road closures and heavy emergency services presence to Northwest D.C. this evening. D.C. Fire and EMS, Washington Gas, and Metro PD were on the scene in Brightwood Park after several 911 calls were made reporting the gas smell.

The incident occurred when a vehicle struck the gas meter of a “mixed occupancy building” in the evening on December 12th, according to tweets from DC Fire and EMS.

Emergency services blocked off the area surrounding 7th to 5th Street and Kennedy Northwest and were on scene for approximately two hours. Washington Gas mandated that the surrounding structures also be evacuated due to significant gas readings in the area. There have been no reported injuries to residents or emergency services staff.

Fire and EMS, along with Washington Gas and Metro PD, were called to the scene after a vehicle struck a building’s gas meter, according to tweets. Emergency services evacuated three residents from a 600 block of Kennedy Street NW building and told several other residents to shelter in place.

The three evacuees from the initial incident location have since been able to return to their residences after emissions returned to “zero, normal limits,” according to Battalion Fire Chief Louis Carter.

“We’ve turned the incident over to Washington Gas,” said Carter, as fire engines, a Fire Department HAZMAT vehicle, and several police cruisers pulled away from the scene.

Washington Gas had since started jackhammering on the sidewalk near the entrance to the building where the damaged gas meter was initially hit. Carter confirmed that Washington Gas would likely not have to fully excavate in the street to contain the gas leak as they originally thought.

a street at night lined with flashing emergency vehicles
Washington Gas excavating the sidewalk to repair the damaged meter

Carter said the gas company would be on the scene for several more hours excavating and doing critical repairs to the damaged gas meter overnight. He said they’ve “secured the leaks, and now they’re making a repair to the damaged meter.”

Washington Gas operates a gas leak emergency line for incidents like this and other gas leaks, and urges Washington residents to use their number or dial 911 if they suspect any kind of gas leak.

Samantha Eley

Samantha Eley

Samantha Eley is a graduate student seeking a Master's Journalism and Public Affairs, Investigative Specialty. Samantha covers Dupont Circle for The Wash.

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