Gas leak in South Lake Tahoe forces 2-block evacuation of Highway 50

South Lake Tahoe fire and police departments responded to a gas leak Monday night which forced the outside evacuation of at least a two block area of Highway 50 from Fairway to Herbert. Lakeland Village and Howard Johnsons guests were ordered to stay in their rooms as of 11 p.m. Areas outside the lodging establishments on both the east and west sides of Highway 50, (Lake Tahoe Boulevard) were evacuated, with guests being ordered to stay inside. The outdoor areas that are adjacent to businesses and lodging establishments were evacuated because of the severity of the leak, according to firefighters on the scene.
The initial call came in at around 11 p.m. with Highway 50 ordered shut down and diverted by fire officials on the scene. El Dorado County Sheriff's Office is also assisting. Southwest Gas was said to be responding from Reno with an approximate estimated time of arrival of midnight.
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