WASHINGTON — A major gas leak just outside the Navy Yard Metro station Thursday caused several surrounding buildings, including an unidentified restaurant and high-rise apartment complexes, to be evacuated. Metro service on the Green Line was also disrupted.
DC Fire and EMS said the evacuations were "in abundance of caution" and that all readings in the buildings had tested negative. A safety perimeter of one block in all directions was established, and Washington Gas was on the scene to investigate. Metro train service on the Green Line was suspended between Anacostia and L'Enfant Plaza.
Officials said the leak was caused by an outside two-inch, hi-pressure gas line being struck in the 1200 block of Half Street, SE around 12:30 p.m. Metro service was restored just before 3 p.m., but delays continued throughout the late afternoon.
By 3:20 p.m. the area was declared safe and all buildings were reoccupied. No injuries were reported.
Navy yard gas leak causes evacuations
Street closures between South Capitol and First Street, SE caused traffic delays, and authorities advised drivers to use alternate routes.
DC Fire and EMS responded to 464 calls on Christmas Day, including 95 fire-related emergencies. There were 151 critical and 218 non-critical EMS dispatches.