116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Marion apartment building evacuated after natural gas leak
UPDATE: An apartment complex and three other homes have been evacuated after a gas leak in Marion, police said.
Crews with MidAmerican Energy are currently on the scene at Eighth Avenue and 22nd Street. Both streets are blocked by police and firefighters.
A police officer said the evacuations were a precautionary measure.
Crews responded just before 8:30 when the smell of natural gas was reported.
“It appears with the frost that it loosened up a flange, so they're tightening that up,” said Doug Wyman, district chief with the Marion Fire Department.
The leak caused gas to build up inside a residence at 790 22nd St., Wyman said. It was evacuated, along with an apartment building and two other homes. Wyman said about 15 to 20 people were evacuated, and most went with friends or relatives.
Crews were still fixing the problem and streets were closed at 10:15 a.m.
MidAmerican Energy workers repair a gas leak at the corner of Eighth Avenue and 22nd Street this morning, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011. Authorities said about 15 people were evacuated from three homes and an apartment building after the leak was reported. (Jeff Raasch/The Gazette)
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