SOUTH SALT LAKE—Evacuation orders have been lifted with gas and power restored to an area of South Salt Lake where city officials ordered evacuations Sunday evening due to a gas leak and fire.
The city announced that evacuation was mandatory for everyone between 3300-3500 South, and between West Temple and 200 West. Residents are now being allowed back into their homes.
Watch: Officials provide update on South Salt Lake evacuations
South Salt Lake Fire Chief Terry Addison said the incident began shortly after 5 p.m. when an unoccupied truck caught on fire. Firefighters said a power line was down on top of the truck, which may have started the fire. The exact cause is under investigation.
While battling the truck fire, the crew noticed flames coming from the ground. They determined that there was a gas leak under the road and notified the gas company.
The gas was shut off shortly after 9 p.m., and the fire was out, but the evacuation was still in place as of 9:45 p.m. While the gas leak was resolved, the fire chief said the evacuation order will remain in place overnight.
South Salt Lake Fire Department says as of 7:30 a.m., power and gas were restored to the area, but the road is still closed along West Temple as the gas company still has heavy equipment and holes in the road from trying to reach gas lines.
TRAX service in the area was shut down temporarily. It was restored around 10 p.m.
An evacuation shelter is available at a church at 3805 S. Main Street. The city said pets are allowed. Addison estimated that about 300 people were evacuated from the area.
Approximate area of evacuation:
