Investigation prompts evacuations on West Franklin Street

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – Emergency crews were called to investigate a gas leak on West Franklin Street Sunday.

Evansville Central Dispatch says the call for an investigation in the 2200 block of West Franklin Street came in around 4:03 p.m.

With the area already busy for the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival, officials had to put restrictions in place in the area and evacuate people from nearby businesses and apartments.

Fire officials say a member of the Nut Club notified the fire department of a report of a natural gas smell.

Crews investigated the food booths since propane tanks had just been hooked up, but say they discovered it was coming from the restaurant Noche.

After finding the source, officials were able to shut the gas off at Noche and surrounding buildings. After evacuations, crews ventilated buildings and made sure readings were safe before clearing the scene.

With the Fall Festival ready to start on Monday, officials say this is an important reminder for safety during the event.

“Starting tomorrow morning before the booths open up, our investigators come down here. And they go ahead and check every booth to see if there’s any type of a gas leak,” says Nick Raber, a Battalion Chief over Special Operations for the Evansville Fire Department. “…If you smell something down here, notify one of the Nut Clubbers, Fire Department, or Police Department, and we’ll investigate it and make it right.”