Safeway Evacuated for Leak

The following is a press release from the Arcata Fire District:

 Arcata, CA- (June 5, 2015)- Shortly after 12:30 this afternoon Arcata Fire District responded to a possible gas leak in the Arcata Safeway located at 600 F Street. The first arriving crew reported that there was no smoke showing and all occupants in the building had been evacuated.

Upon further investigation and based on the statements of the refrigerant repair person on scene, the cause of the odor was a relief valve that failed on the refrigerant system for the store coolers. The first arriving crew called for a second engine to respond to establish a rapid intervention crew (RIC) while they went in the building with the repair person to fix the leak. The crew entered the building and the leak was repaired with ten minutes. Fire crews then assisted with ventilating the building.

All the occupants of the building safely evacuated the building and no injuries were reported. Arcata Fire District responded with two engines and two chief officers. Arcata Police Department responded and assisted with traffic and crowd control.