A natural gas leak in Seattle's Columbia City neighborhood shut down a busy stretch of Martin Luther King Jr. Way South and temporarily sidelined Link light rail service Tuesday afternoon, turning the area into a no-go zone for commuters. At least one building was evacuated and traffic was stopped in both directions while crews moved in. No injuries were reported as firefighters worked to contain the situation.
The Seattle Fire Department said on X that crews were called to the 5000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way South, where they tracked the problem to an exterior leak near a building under construction. Firefighters found a leaking 2-inch natural gas line and quickly evacuated a building immediately to the south, according to KOMO News. The department posted its update at about 2:45 p.m. and urged people to steer clear while the leak was under investigation.
Transit disruption
The gas scare quickly spilled over into the afternoon commute. Sound Transit reported that 1 Line trains were disrupted through the Rainier Valley, with service suspended between key stations and shuttle buses ordered in to bridge the gap as they became available, KIRO 7 reported. Trains continued to run on both ends of the affected segment, but riders were cautioned to expect delays and budget extra time for their trips.
Road closures and evacuations
On the streets, the Seattle Department of Transportation shut down all northbound and southbound lanes of Martin Luther King Jr. Way South at South Hudson Street and told drivers to use alternate routes while emergency and utility crews worked, KOMO News reported. Nearby businesses and the construction site near the reported leak were among the locations cleared out as officials secured the area.
What to expect next
Authorities said the cause of the leak remained under investigation, with utility workers and firefighters staying on scene into the evening to make sure the line was safe. Commuters were advised to keep an eye on Sound Transit and local traffic reports for the latest on rail service and road reopenings as agencies worked to get the neighborhood moving again.
