A natural gas leak in Aurora sent nearly a dozen families out of their homes Tuesday morning as firefighters and utility crews moved in on a ruptured main. Crews evacuated 11 houses, threw up a safety perimeter, and fielded reports of a sharp gas odor drifting through the neighborhood. Investigators were called to sort out what went wrong, and residents were kept out until the area could be declared safe. The leak was reported in a residential pocket north of East 51st Drive and North Quemoy Court.
Aurora Fire Rescue said crews were dispatched shortly after 11 a.m. for a leak from a six-inch gas main and worked with Xcel Energy to slow and stop the flow, according to CBS News Colorado. Firefighters stayed on scene, holding the perimeter and waiting for Xcel crews to finish their work before anyone could go back inside. Investigators did not immediately identify what caused the break.
Response and Safety Steps
Xcel Energy crews moved in to isolate and clamp the damaged line while Aurora Fire Rescue maintained the safety zone around the block. Per Xcel Energy guidance, anyone who smells gas is urged to leave the area right away and call 911 or the utility's gas-emergency number from a safe distance.
Where It Happened
The leak hit a residential stretch just north of East 51st Drive and North Quemoy Court, an area made up of single-family homes and townhouses. Aurora has seen similar distribution-line issues before. A 2024 gas leak temporarily displaced residents from 10 homes, according to the city's Fire Rescue news archive. Officials said investigators will look at whether aging infrastructure, excavation work, or some other factor led to this latest rupture.
What Residents Should Do
If you notice the telltale sulfurous, "rotten egg" smell of gas, Xcel advises leaving immediately and calling 911 or the company's gas emergency line from a safe location. Do not flip light switches, use phones, or handle any device that could create a spark until you are clear of the area and crews say it is safe to return.
Aurora Fire Rescue said homes would reopen only after responders verified the area was safe and investigators finished preliminary checks, according to CBS News Colorado. We will update this story as agencies release additional details.
