King County International Airport-Boeing Field has reopened after a “major” gas leak forced evacuations and temporarily closed roadways Friday afternoon, according to Seattle fire officials.
Initial reports indicate contractors were working in the airport terminal parking lot in the 7000 block of Airport Way South when they hit a natural gas line, according to a statement from King County early Friday evening.
No injuries were reported.
Seattle fire crews responded to the leak just after 2 p.m. and evacuated the airport terminal and several other buildings in the area after officials measured “dangerous levels” of gas, the statement said. The Seattle Fire Department also set up a 1,000-foot perimeter around the area.
As of 3 p.m., buildings in the immediate area had been cleared out. The leak had been secured by 3:30 p.m. and by 5:30 p.m., the air quality had reached safe levels, according to county and fire officials.
No homes were in the evacuation area.
Aircraft takeoffs and landings were temporarily halted while crews responded to the incident, but flight operations were expected to resume early Friday evening.
Puget Sound Energy and Seattle City Light also responded to the area to secure the leak and shut off power to the area, according to fire officials.
The King County Sheriff’s Office and Seattle police helped with traffic control near Airport Way South, which was temporarily closed between South Hardy Street and South Norfolk Street.
No further information was immediately available.
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