Weekend Propane Leak Forced Evacuations Of Several Sonora Streets

SPD photo

Sonora, CA – A weekend propane leak in downtown Sonora forced the evacuation of several roads.

Sonora Police dispatch received a call just after 5 p.m. on Sunday reporting an unoccupied vehicle that rolled and crashed into a propane tank in the 500 block of South High Street, causing a serious leak.

“Obviously propane is a flammable gas when it’s released and so we were very concerned about the potential of a fire explosion, so we wanted people cleared for that reason,” advised SPD Chief Turu Vanderweil.  “Also, due to the health risk of inhaling the gas at those quantities.”

The roadways impacted were South High Street, Olive Street, Maple Street, and West Sunset Street. Chief Vanderweil noted, “It leaked a significant amount of propane, so city fire and CAL Fire were on scene and ordered evacuations,” recounts SPD Chief Turu Vanderweil, adding, “Our officers evacuated approximately 30 to 40 homes in an abundance of caution because of the fumes.”

A JS West crew was able to fix the leak and most residents returned to their homes after about an hour. Police report that criminal charges are not being sought in connection to this incident.