Fire Department

Tenants at an east-side apartment building called 911 when they smelled natural gas coming from somewhere in the building.

Engine Company 3 responded and met with the callers, who said the gas could be smelled in the main hallway. Firefighters went upstairs with an air monitor and detected combustible gas around the door frame of another apartment.

Dane County Public Safety Communications dispatchers attempted, without success, to contact the building owner, and an outdoor key vault was not available.  Engine 3 placed a ladder to the window of the apartment containing natural gas and placed their air monitor up to the window, detecting additional natural gas readings.

Firefighters determined that a vacant occupancy on the first floor was the only unit containing gas utilities. They forced open the door and located the leak-- a loose coupling on the gas meter which was missing a cap. A MGE technician on scene made immediate repairs and shut off the line.

Firefighters ventilate the building, including the upstairs apartment, before securing the property.