Natural gas leak, underground fire cause evacuations in Seattle’s Central District

SEATTLE — A natural gas leak and underground fire in Seattle’s Central District caused power outages and evacuations Wednesday.

Chopper 7 was above the flames burning on the sidewalk in the 2700 block of East Cherry Street. The fire started after 11 a.m.

Seattle Fire Department officials said the burning gas melted through asphalt.

The evacuation zone was from East Columbia Street to East Jefferson Street, and from 27th Avenue to 29th Avenue.

There were road closures for two blocks in all directions from East Cherry Street and MLK Jr. Way.

Power was cut to 2,267 Seattle City Light customers.

Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy crews worked to shut off the electricity and gas.

Firefighters applied dry chemicals to knock down the fire.

Sometime around 3 p.m., PSE secured the leak and the area was reopened, lifting the evacuation, firefighters said.

No injuries were reported.

Officials did not say exactly what caused the leak but are investigating.

Cox Media Group