Gas leak in downtown Fort Worth shuts down several city blocks, forces building to be evacuated

Multiple blocks in downtown Fort Worth were shut down Tuesday because of a gas leak, according to fire officials.

The Fort Worth Fire Department tweeted at 3:20 p.m. that a “large gas line leak” at West Fifth and Taylor streets meant that two city blocks in all directions needed to be closed to foot and vehicular traffic.

Michael Drivdahl, a spokesman for the department, said residents of a building at the intersection were being evacuated to Sundance Square.

Drivdahl said the leak is believed to have started because of construction work in the area. Fire officials learned about the leak from a 911 call, he said.

The fire department said shortly after 8 p.m. that the leak had been stopped but that there was still a high level of gas in the evacuated building, preventing residents from returning Tuesday.

Authorities said gas service had been turned off to a large portion of downtown Fort Worth and that anyone with questions should contact Atmos.