Gas leak near base of Lift One prompts evacuations in Aspen

An excavator at a residential construction site near the base of Lift One struck a hidden propane tank approximately 1,000 gallons in volume on Thursday afternoon, prompting a multi-building evacuation and two street closures, according to officials. 

The leak, which was reported at noon, occurred after Aspen-based excavating company Stutsman Gerbaz struck a tank at 710 S. Aspen St., a private residence undergoing a complete renovation, according to Daniel Palmer, Aspen Fire battalion chief. He said the renovation is not affiliated with the Lift One redevelopment.

Palmer said Stutsman “did everything they needed to do” before excavating, including determining utility locations. The propane tank had not been part of the utility location marking, however, because it was left in the ground after a previous remodel of the residence, which began using a natural gas line rather than the tank.

Aspen Fire, Aspen Ambulance, the Aspen Police Department, and Stutsman Gerbaz responded to the scene with personnel, two fire trucks, an ambulance, and more. East Juan Street and part of South Aspen Street by Aspen Mountain were closed during the response. Roaring Fork Fire Rescue also assisted over the phone, attempting to discover the owner of the tank.  

Aspen Fire and Aspen Police evacuated 15 individuals, a group composed of construction workers and residents from four, two-unit APCHA townhouses on the south side of Juan Street, six private residences on the west side of South Aspen Street, and the One Aspen Chalet. 

“Anytime you have an explosive gas, such as propane or natural gas, there is a potential hazard to the public that’s in the immediate area of the leak itself and adjacent areas,” Aspen Fire Chief Jake Andersen said. “So out of an abundance of caution, we just keep people out of the area while we work to mitigate the problem.”

Gas could be smelled as far as the corner of East Durant Avenue and South Monarch Street — three blocks from the call site. 

To explode, propane must comprise just 2% to 9% of air volume. Propane-infused air is too “rich” or too “lean” to explode if the proportion of propane in the air falls outside of that range, according to Palmer. He said Aspen Fire measured the air composition until there were no 2% to 9% propane readings and poured water into the propane tank to ensure it was no longer dangerous.

Pitkin Alert announced that South Aspen Street and East Juan Street were once again open at 3:58 p.m. Thursday.

Skyler Stark-Ragsdale can be reached at 970-429-9152 or email him at sstark-ragsdale@aspentimes.com.