Fire officials ask residents to shelter in place during gas leak near Bellingham bridge

The Bellingham Fire Department reported a gas leak in Bellingham on Thursday morning, and some residents and businesses were being advised to evacuate or shelter in place. Capt. Dustin Michaelis with the Bellingham Fire Department told The Bellingham Herald fire crews were first notified of the leak around 9:45 a.m.

Construction workers in the area of the Meador Avenue Bridge hit a 2-inch natural gas line, causing the leak. The bridge crosses over Whatcom Creek near the intersection of Meador Avenue and Humbolt Street.

The fire department reported around 2:30 p.m. Thursday that Cascade Natural Gas staff had completed all repairs.

Fire crews used gas monitoring equipment to look for hazardous conditions. Although monitors didn’t detect any dangerous hazards, people in the 1700 block of Meador Avenue were asked to shelter in place as a precaution, Michaelis said.