Occupants of 10 apartment units in Lakewood will be without utilities overnight after a woman crashed her car into an apartment building, hitting gas meters and rupturing a gas line.
“There was significant release of natural gas, which promted the evacuation of all 24 units in the building,” said Cindy Matthews, spokeswoman for West Metro Fire.
The accident happened after 8 p.m. at the apartments on 7687 W. Mansfield Parkway, when the woman apparently stepped on the accelerator while in the wrong gear, going forward instead of reverse, Matthews said.
Early reports of a gas explosion were incorrect.
Residents have been able to return to 14 of the apartment units. Those units have electricity restored, but will be without heat tonight.
The fire department is helping the occupants of the other 10 units find other places to stay if they wish, since those units will not have any utilities overnight.
Two of the apartment units also sustained structural damage, but no injuries were reported.
Xcel will not be able to make repairs until tomorrow morning.
