A mandatory South Salt Lake Evacuation order was lifted Monday morning after a gas leak prompted residents to leave their homes Sunday evening. The evacuation impacted properties between 3300 South and 3500 South, and West Temple to 200 West.
The order was issued Sunday evening following reports of a ground fire near West Temple. Fire crews were initially in the area responding to a truck fire caused by a downed power line when they observed the ground was also burning.
Authorities confirmed a Gas Leak Salt Lake City was the source of the fire. The South Salt Lake Fire Department described the situation Sunday night as a "controlled burn" with no gas readings detected east of West Temple.
The mandatory evacuation began around 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Residents were advised to avoid the area while crews worked to control the situation. An evacuation shelter was established at 3805 S. Main in South Salt Lake for those displaced.
The Utah Transit Authority also implemented a bus bridge between the Millcreek and Meadowbrook stations to assist evacuated residents.
Fire officials announced the evacuation was lifted shortly after 7 a.m. Monday. The leak had been stopped, and gas and power services were restored to the affected area.(Source)
While residents have been permitted to return home, the cause of the leak remains under investigation. Officials plan to conduct door-to-door checks to verify that all gas meters are functioning correctly.(Source)
Crews confirmed the fire was out by 10 p.m. Sunday. The incident required an overnight response from emergency personnel before the area was deemed safe for re-entry.(Source)
