A gas leak remains under investigation in McKinleyville. At about 8:30 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call for a gas leak and a possible barricaded subject at a residence on the 1400 block of Railroad Drive in McKinleyville.
The reporting party, a realtor, told dispatchers that she was checking on the property and its current tenant when she noticed a strong odor of natural gas. The realtor indicated that she was unable to make contact with the male tenant and that he may be barricaded inside.
Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Arcata Fire and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) responded to the residence. During the course of the investigation, five residents on adjacent properties were evacuated and other nearby residents were notified to shelter in place due to the natural gas leak. McKinleyville Middle School voluntarily initiated a lockdown of the campus.
Upon further investigation, PG&E crews found that the gas leak originated from an underground source. Deputies searched the residence and were unable to locate the tenant on the property.
PG&E is currently working to repair the gas leak.