Eugene Springfield Fire battles gas leak in downtown Eugene and evacuates residents

Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) responded to a gas leak early Friday that forced an evacuation in downtown Eugene.

Firefighters were dispatched at 12:59 a.m. Oct. 25 to reports of a smell of gas outside a Market District coffee shop at 550 Oak Street.

Upon arrival, the ESF informed us that firefighters smelled gas in the area and were using special monitors to detect low levels of gas.

“The first priority was to check for gas above the cafe in the Market District Commons apartments to determine if there was a threat to life,” ESF tells us. “Gas was discovered in the residence and a full evacuation was initiated.”

While multiple crews, assisted by responding Eugene Police Department (EPD) officers, worked to evacuate the building, truck crews forcibly entered the cafe.

Once entered, ESF reported that high levels of gas were detected and the leak was resolved.

After evacuating the building and fixing the leak, crews worked to ventilate the building.

ESF tells us staff have coordinated with NW Natural to ensure the building is safe to live in again.

Residents were evacuated for about two hours and no injuries were reported.

“We thank the Eugene Police Department for their assistance with this incident and would like to thank the Gordon Hotel for providing a safe place to house evacuees,” says Eugene Springfield Fire.