Gas Leak Shuts Down Red Line Service, Causes College Evacuation

(Updated at 12:05 p.m. Thursday): ROCKVILLE, MD — Red Line Metro service is suspended between the Twinbrook and Shady Grove stations in Rockville Thursday for a propane gas leak nearby.

A nearly 1,000 gallon gas tank at Suburban Propane, at 31 Derwood Circle, began to leak Thursday morning because of a sheared valve, Montgomery County Fire & Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer said.

The leak caused a "strong gas odor" in a "fairly wide area," Piringer said.

Nearby train and subway rail traffic is stopped and will most likely remain closed for hours.

The gas leak caused students and staff to evacuate the Montgomery College Rockville campus at about 10:17 a.m.

"Due to a strong gas odor, EVACUATE the Rockville Campus until further notice. Fire officials are on scene. YOU MUST LEAVE CAMPUS," the alert states.

The evacuation was lifted at about 11:45 a.m.

Hazmat crews are working to control the leak and residents are advised to avoid the area if they can.

>> This is a breaking news story. Patch will update this post as more information becomes available.

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