Residents and businesses in the vicinity of the 2200 block of 10th St NW in Washington D.C. were faced with an urgent evacuation on Thursday, following the discovery of a high-pressure gas leak. According to a social media post by the D.C. Fire and EMS Department, there was no fire but a pervasive gas odor was reported in the area, prompting emergency services to take action.

The post indicated that the adjacent commercial buildings were being evacuated as a precaution while the area was being metered to assess the danger level. DC Fire and EMS also notified both Washington Gas and the D.C. Police Department to assist with the scene and manage traffic diversions to ensure the safety of the community and the responding teams, the situation is still developing which we will continue to monitor for updates.

As of now, there have not been any reports of injuries or severe property damage, according to authorities on the scene. The focus remains on securing the area and fixing the leak to mitigate any risks of ignition or health hazards due to gas inhalation.

The response efforts have caused significant disruptions in the neighborhood with traffic rerouted away from the affected street, the Department of Transportation has been enlisted to guide commuters as they navigate the changes, and the D.C. Fire and EMS Department is urging residents to avoid the affected area if possible, and to heed any instructions provided by emergency personnel or local officials.