Emergency crews were hard at work earlier today after an underground gas leak in north Abilene.
The incident happened around today at Interstate 20 and FM-600, shutting down multiple roads and forcing evacuations to nearby buildings.
Officials with Atmos believe rocks below the surface may have pierced the pipe, ultimately causing the leak.
"The manager from La Quinta came over and said that there was bubbles coming from the ground. Which was a sign of a gas leak," says Adel Kayati, franchise owner of Denny's.
"I was like what's happening? I didn't know what was going on. I was kind of scared," says a woman staying at La Quinta.
It was just after 10:30 this morning when firefighters responded to the call.
Kayati says, "I didn't think anything of it at first and then about 20 minutes later, we were told to evacuate the building."
The Denny's off of FM-600 along with the La Quinta right next door were given immediate orders to evacuate.
"We were able to evacuate those businesses fairly quickly. The leak was patched by Atmos Energy in a fairly quick fashion and we were able to get these people back into their businesses with really what we consider fairly small delay," says Lieutenant Greg Goettsch with the Abilene Fire Department.
The on ramp leading onto I-20 was also shut down. Sheldon and Irene Katz are staying at the La Quinta. Abilene is one stop on their cross-country road trip.
Sheldon Katz says, "I said to the officer, what was the problem? He said there was a gas leak. I said 'where, my hotel?'. He said 'no, Denny's. But he said it's safe now, you can go.'"
Fortunately, roads were cleared, nerves calmed and all went back to normal in a little less than an hour.
"I wasn't freaking out. I mean it was a little weird but if I freak out then everyone is gonna freak out. If I don't stay calm then, who is?," says Kayati.
When asked if they were happy everything was clear, Irene Sheldon replies, "Yes! We're here to see Abilene!"
Atmos Energy will go back within the coming days to closely monitor the area and make sure no gas remains.
The incident happened around today at Interstate 20 and FM-600, shutting down multiple roads and forcing evacuations to nearby buildings.
Officials with Atmos believe rocks below the surface may have pierced the pipe, ultimately causing the leak.
"The manager from La Quinta came over and said that there was bubbles coming from the ground. Which was a sign of a gas leak," says Adel Kayati, franchise owner of Denny's.
"I was like what's happening? I didn't know what was going on. I was kind of scared," says a woman staying at La Quinta.
It was just after 10:30 this morning when firefighters responded to the call.
Kayati says, "I didn't think anything of it at first and then about 20 minutes later, we were told to evacuate the building."
The Denny's off of FM-600 along with the La Quinta right next door were given immediate orders to evacuate.
"We were able to evacuate those businesses fairly quickly. The leak was patched by Atmos Energy in a fairly quick fashion and we were able to get these people back into their businesses with really what we consider fairly small delay," says Lieutenant Greg Goettsch with the Abilene Fire Department.
The on ramp leading onto I-20 was also shut down. Sheldon and Irene Katz are staying at the La Quinta. Abilene is one stop on their cross-country road trip.
Sheldon Katz says, "I said to the officer, what was the problem? He said there was a gas leak. I said 'where, my hotel?'. He said 'no, Denny's. But he said it's safe now, you can go.'"
Fortunately, roads were cleared, nerves calmed and all went back to normal in a little less than an hour.
"I wasn't freaking out. I mean it was a little weird but if I freak out then everyone is gonna freak out. If I don't stay calm then, who is?," says Kayati.
When asked if they were happy everything was clear, Irene Sheldon replies, "Yes! We're here to see Abilene!"
Atmos Energy will go back within the coming days to closely monitor the area and make sure no gas remains.
