Difficult Gas Leak Brings State, Local Officials To Cape Cod Neighborhood

ORLEANS, MA — Cape Cod fire officials spent over eight hours on Friday dealing with a particularly tricky gas leak, officials said.

On Aug. 1 at 2:30 p.m., Orleans Fire-Rescue responded to a leaking outdoor propane tank off Nauset Heights Road, officials said.

When the first crews arrived, a local propane company had been called for a leak from a tank that was proving difficult to secure. An additional investigation found a significant leak from a 500 pound underground propane tank in the backyard of the residence, officials said.

Safety precautions were taken, and air metering found dangerous gas levels in the home. Evacuations were then made of nearby residences.

Due to the type of leak and its location, it could not easily be stopped, officials said. The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Hazardous Materials team was requested to the scene along with a regional propane gas emergency specialist.

A number of options were planned, and officials tried to secure the leak "with the ultimate and safest solution being to bleed the tank of remaining gas," officials said.

This was done in a controlled and planned way that took about 30 minutes to complete.

Crews were on scene until nearly 11 p.m., ensuring the safety of the home and neighbors, officials said.

"This type of call was unusually complex for a propane leak but was brought to safe resolution through the cooperation and careful approach of all responders," fire officials said.