As hundreds of trick-or-treaters dispersed from Halloween festivities downtown on Monday, Atmos Energy notified Rio Blanco County Dispatch of a natural gas leak in the alley behind White River Electric Association and the Rio Blanco Fire Protection District. All buildings on the south side of Main Street between Sixth and Seventh streets were evacuated and citizens asked to stay away from the area.
Combined agencies worked through the night and by Tuesday morning, had shut down the natural gas line from 10th Street to Pioneers Medical Center between Market and Main streets, impacting up to 60 businesses and residents. Late Tuesday, the source of the leak had been located in the alley behind Rio Blanco Abstract, and crews were beginning work to restore service, with evacuation orders to be lifted and everyone allowed to return by Wednesday morning.
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
