City Hall temporarily evacuated after construction crew strikes gas line

City Hall, Nordstrom and the Spokane Public Library were evacuated briefly Friday morning after a Garco Construction team hit a gas line on West Spokane Falls Boulevard.

Avista Corp. received a call about the break at 8:13 a.m. and quickly sent a first-response crew to the scene, said Avista spokeswoman Debbie Simock.

The Spokane Fire Department evacuated the three buildings, but they are open again for normal business, she said.

“The fire crews have left, and there’s no longer blowing gas,” Simock said. “Our crews will be on the scene a little bit longer fixing the line.”

Marlene Feist, director of strategic development for the public works and utilities department, said city employees were allowed to return to City Hall after fire crews tested the air quality and determined it was safe.

“You do what’s important for the safety of your employees,” Feist said of the evacuation.

Simock said it is Washington State law to call 811 prior to any digging – whether it is digging a garden or a major construction project – in order for utilities like gas lines to be properly marked.

Garco Construction has been contracted by the city of Spokane to install a combined sewage overflow tank on the site that will hold about 2.2 million gallons once completed.

Feist said it was her understanding that all the lines were properly located.