UNIONTOWN, Ohio — The Uniontown Fire Department investigated a natural gas leak on Thursday. Firefighters were notified of the leak after residents reported smelling a foul odor.
Officials said they evacuated 20 homes along Class Avenue NW. Around 2 p.m., those residents were allowed to return to their homes, according to a News 5 crew on the scene.
Resident Courtney Cain said she thought she smelled something unusual this morning while on a walk with her husband and dog.
Later, she saw the fire trucks.
"I looked outside. I was like, 'That's weird, there's a lot of trucks outside.' I still disregarded it," Cain said. "I kind of thought they were doing the fire hydrants to be honest with you, until my cousin called me and she's like, 'They're evacuating your street — are you home?'"
She told News 5 she is still waiting to hear exactly why she had to evacuate, and to have her gas turned back on.
"If they didn't get you banging on your door and you were home, like home sleeping or something if you are night shift, I was a night shift nurse for years, were you still in there? I don't know if they ended up calling everybody," said Cain.
Cain continued, "The department told me they heard the gas leak through the pipes, whatever that means. I don't know if a civilian heard it or what. I would like to know what to look out for, for the future. Does it smell? Does it sound? If we're out and about if we smell something or hear something, who do you alert? What do you do?"
Enbridge Gas Ohio reminds homeowners the signs of a gas leak include a rotten egg odor, dead vegetation near a pipeline, and hissing, whistling, or roaring near a gas appliance or pipeline.
Enbridge said if you suspect a leak, don't turn on gas valves, smoke or use a lighter, and don't start or stop anything that may spark.
You can't report a gas leak online. If you suspect one, leave the area immediately and call 911 or Dominion Energy Ohio 877-542-2630.
Enbridge Gas Ohio said on X: "Crews have made repairs and the fire department is allowing residents to return to their homes in Uniontown on Class Ave. Appliance relights will begin soon for those impacted. Thank you for your patience and thanks for your hard work, Uniontown Fire Deparment."
Anyone in need of help is asked to call the fire department at 330-699-3239.
