Natural gas leak prompts closure of Kirkland’s Totem Lake Boulevard; shopping center evacuated

Published 1:53 pm Tuesday, August 20, 2013

A gas line severed by a city contractor that caused a natural gas leak prompted Kirkland police and fire officials to close Totem Lake Boulevard and evacuate a shopping center Tuesday morning.

Police and fire personnel responded to a report of a natural gas leak at the 12500 block of Totem Lake Boulevard around 10:50 a.m.

The initial investigation revealed that a two-inch gas line was severed by a contractor working on a city culvert project. Puget Sound Energy was on-scene and shut off the gas. Fire officials said people were evacuated from six businesses within a shopping strip mall located on the west side of Totem Lake Boulevard.

Additionally, both directions of Totem Lake Boulevard were closed.

By 12:15 p.m. the road was open and people were allowed to return to the businesses.