(This story was updated with new information.)
A leaking underground propane tank forced residents from about 15 homes in Ankeny to evacuate.
The leak was in a 1,000-gallon tank that had about 600 gallons of propane in it, Ankeny Fire Department Deputy Chief Dan Schellhase told the Des Moines Register in an email. A company performing maintenance on the tank at Ace Hardware, 3020 SW Oralabor Road, noticed the leak and called 911 around 2:35 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, according to a social media post from the city of Ankeny. First responders arrived on scene and found a while vapor cloud.
Schellhase said the evacuated homes were around Southwest 25th Court, which is immediately to the north of Ace. Other businesses in the area also were evacuated.
Residents were allowed back into their homes around 6:30 p.m. after crews from the Ankeny Fire Department and Des Moines Fire Department Hazardous Materials team were able to mitigate the situation, according to the city’s post.
Phillip Sitter covers the suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com. Find out more about him online in the Register’s staff directory.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Evacuation order lifted after propane leak at Ace Hardware in Ankeny
Reporting by Phillip Sitter, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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