SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah — Nearly 400 residents have been allowed to return to their homes after a gas leak triggered a fire in the area, forcing widespread evacuations. The incident, which unfolded on Sunday, began with a truck fire caused by a downed power line, eventually leading to the detection of the gas leak.
The South Salt Lake Fire Department and Unified Fire Authority responded swiftly to the scene, where a significant safety concern was identified. According to South Salt Lake Fire Chief Terry Addison, the gas leak was initially undetected due to the odorless nature of the burning gas. Firefighters worked quickly to contain the blaze, preventing a larger disaster.
Michelle Real Ocampos, owner of Real Forklift, expressed her concerns as the situation unfolded. “I’m really stressed out, but can’t get too dramatic right now,” she said, fearing for the safety of her business in the wake of the fire.
Enbridge technicians arrived on the scene early Monday morning to assess the area for further gas leaks. After conducting a thorough inspection, they deemed the area safe, allowing residents and business owners to begin returning to normal.
Robert Hall, a senior advisor with the Pipeline Safety Trust, praised the efforts of first responders for controlling the situation before it escalated further. “It could’ve been very serious with a distribution line,” Hall noted. “The fact that it was detected allowed the fire department and the utility to take the appropriate action to stop the flow of gas.”
While no major disaster occurred, Hall emphasized the need for increased scrutiny of the gas line infrastructure. “Enbridge should thoroughly inspect the gas line, making sure that there weren’t any pre-existing leaks. If there were, they should conduct a leak survey in the area to prevent future incidents,” he added.
In response to the incident, Enbridge issued a statement assuring the public of their commitment to safety. “Enbridge takes safety very seriously, and we are working closely with local authorities to investigate the cause of the leak,” the company said. “Our priority is to ensure the safety of the community, and we are taking all necessary steps to prevent similar events in the future.”
Residents, many of whom were displaced by the evacuations, have slowly returned to their homes. Although the danger has passed, the event serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining and monitoring gas line infrastructure to prevent future emergencies.
The South Salt Lake Fire Department has also praised the collaborative efforts of local emergency responders and Enbridge technicians, who were able to quickly stabilize the situation and avoid a potential catastrophe.