Responders clear out Bellingham bookstore after crash leaves customers in a dangerous spot
A vehicle collision resulted in a gas leak last week and forced the evacuation of a bookstore in Bellingham.
No injuries were reported, and the building was deemed safe to enter 30 minutes after the crash, according to Sarah Hutton, co-owner of Village Books and Paper Dreams, 1200 11th St.
The crash occurred the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 10.
Representatives from the Bellingham Fire Department, Bellingham Police Department and Cascade Gas all responded to the incident. Responders quickly determined a gas meter had been struck in the crash, which led to a severed gas line on the Mill Street side of the building, according to Hutton.
Village Bookstore and Paper Dreams, Evolve Cafe and the residences above the store were evacuated as a precaution. The gas line was shut off by Cascade Gas staff, who then cleared the building to make sure there wasn’t any gas remaining inside.
The gas line was repaired a few hours later, Hutton said.
