PARK CITY, Utah — Numerous businesses in Park City were evacuated after a gas leak was detected along the popular Main Street on Tuesday.
According to the Park City Fire District, a private company working on a project hit a main gas line near 402 Main Street. Police and fire departments were immediately notified, and evacuations of residents and 80 businesses were implemented.
Residents and businesses south of Heber Avenue on Main Street were evacuated.
“The safety of the residents and the business owners, that’s our number one concern," said Lt. Danielle Snelson with the Park City Police Department. "It does affect the businesses, unfortunately."
As of 4 p.m., officials let business owners and employees know that they were allowed back into their buildings. No injuries were reported, and the area is considered to be secure.
The Red Banjo was one of several restaurants that were open during the lunch hour. One of their servers, Luke Price, says it was a tense moment for his co-workers.
“I got here and everything was still a mess, so they didn’t even touch anything and just left the building immediately,” said Price, noting he arrived for a later shift.
Meals went unpaid and dishes uncleaned as they rushed out to safety.
Hours later — even with the dust settled — some places like Flanagan’s stayed closed for the night.
“We were hiking, we got some service [after being] in the mountains all day, never been here, and then,” said Peter Hartwig.
Hartwig was visiting from North Carolina with a friend when they walked into the closed pub.
“If we hadn’t seen you, we wouldn’t know what was happening," he said.
It left visitors wondering where they could eat — and even those who reopened knew they were taking a hit.
“I definitely think it’s going to be a lot slower tonight,” Price said. “People start coming in right about now, and there’s only two or three tables in.”
But they’re grateful nothing worse happened and hopeful tomorrow is a new day.
“I mean, I’ve seen some weird stuff here before, but that was probably the most scary,” said Price. “Come get some drinks. Come get some food, help us out.”
