Several businesses and residences were temporarily evacuated
On Thursday (Feb. 23) at about 6:45 p.m., the Vancouver Fire Department was dispatched to a strong smell of natural gas in a building at 806 Main Street. Two engines, a ladder truck and a battalion chief responded to the scene.
When the initial crews arrived at the address, they could immediately tell there was a natural gas problem in the building. Due to the size of the building and the potential for the gas to get into adjacent buildings, crews immediately shut down the gas at the meter and evacuated the entire city block.
Additional fire engines were called to help evacuate an area that covered Washington and Main between 8th and 9th streets. These evacuations included several businesses and residences.
Northwest Natural Gas (NWNG) arrived on scene to help with air monitoring and technical assistance. Due to the high readings of natural gas and carbon monoxide, power was also shut down to the block by Clark Public Utilities.
At approximately 9 p.m. crews were able to isolate the leak and ventilate the structure enough to lift the evacuation and restore power to the block so people could return home and businesses could open safely.
The Vancouver Fire Department appreciates the patience and understanding from the community involved in the evacuations and please know the safety of our community is our number one priority.
Information provided by Vancouver Fire Department.
Also read:
- Letter: Trump Derangement Syndrome endangers America’s 250th Birthday celebrations
Jonathan Hines argues injunctions targeting White House events are poisoning America’s 250th anniversary. - Spillers acquire The Reflector Newspaper
Camden and Mac Spiller acquired The Reflector after 17 years of out-of-area ownership, pledging a six-month review of its future. - Opinion: Bringing The Reflector home
Camden Spiller plans to replace Centralia-based management with local staff after a six-month transition period. - VIDEO: Petition campaign to repeal Washington income tax may break records
Let’s Go Washington needs 308,911 valid signatures to qualify IP26-645 for the November ballot, but is targeting 400,000 by July 2. - Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue boathouse repaired and returned to Ridgefield
CCFR’s repaired boathouse returned to Lake River after an accidental fire sidelined marine operations since December 2025. - Single-vehicle rollover crash results in injury and natural gas leak
A single occupant was ejected during a rollover near SE 20th Street, triggering a natural gas leak controlled by Vancouver Fire. - As summer days approach more construction comes to area roadways
A worker was struck and thrown 20 feet by a distracted driver in a Clark County work zone last summer.
