Residents of a Dallas apartment complex evacuated after an external gas leak have been cleared to return home, with power and gas services expected to be restored from Thursday morning.
Atmos Energy said on Wednesday, September 23, that the Factory Design District Apartments on Turtle Creek Boulevard had passed a safety inspection carried out with Dallas Fire-Rescue. The utility said all readings recorded during the walkthrough were normal.
Reoccupation of the five-storey building, which contains 325 flats and is about 90 per cent occupied, is due to begin no earlier than 9am on Thursday, September 24. Building management is expected to coordinate the return with residents.
The complex was evacuated on Friday, September 18, after Atmos technicians identified a natural gas release outside the property during routine inspections. The incident followed an unrelated kitchen fire on the fourth floor, which was quickly brought under control by the sprinkler system and firefighters. No injuries were reported.
Although no gas was detected inside the building, electricity and gas supplies were shut off as a precaution. Atmos later capped both the main 16-inch gas line and a parallel three-inch line, stopping the active leak on Saturday evening.
Small gas readings continued to be detected outside the building after the lines were capped, prompting further monitoring and remedial work. Atmos said it placed vapour extraction units in the area to improve underground ventilation and remove any residual gas.
Dallas Fire-Rescue kept a unit at the site while the work continued. The department said its latest assessment with Atmos had found conditions safe for the restoration of services and a controlled return of residents.
The prolonged evacuation caused disruption for residents, including Acacia Harris, who said she lost months of frozen breast milk stored at her flat.
Atmos Energy has said affected residents can submit claims for eligible losses and expenses. Its claims process allows supporting documents to be filed online or sent to the company’s claims department.
