The Nashville Fire Department cleared one apartment building and six townhomes at Crest at Burkitt Ridge for re-entry Thursday after methane and carbon monoxide readings fell.

Residents evacuated from Crest at Burkitt Ridge Apartments because of underground gas can go home. The Nashville Fire Department said Thursday that the evacuated properties “have been cleared for re-entry.”

The department evacuated Building H of the complex and six nearby townhomes after it found methane and carbon monoxide in the area. The complex is on Burkitt Road in southeast Davidson County.

The clearance came in an NFD release on Thursday, Oct. 29. The department said it has ended its emergency response and its air monitoring.

What happened

  • Saturday, Oct. 24: NFD detected methane and carbon monoxide in a residential area next to an active construction site, the department said in an update. Firefighters had responded to a carbon monoxide alarm at a home.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 27: the source of the gas had not been confirmed. Early assessments raised the possibility that nearby blasting had disturbed naturally occurring underground gases, NFD said.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 28: the contractor and developer planned to dig a ventilation trench at the construction site so gas below ground could escape. Evacuations stayed in place while the trench was dug.
  • Thursday, Oct. 29: carbon monoxide was undetectable in recent monitoring, and methane had fallen to levels that no longer require protective action, NFD said. It credited the trench and natural off-gassing.

NFD said it worked with environmental specialists, geologists, public health officials, emergency management, the mayor’s office, property management, the developer and the contractor. The releases do not name the construction site, the developer or the contractor.

What the clearance covers, and what it does not

NFD said the clearance covers only the air monitoring and the methane and carbon monoxide hazards. It does not certify a building’s structure, its utility systems or any other condition.

What it means for you

  • If you were evacuated, arrange your return through your property management company or homeowners association. NFD said they handle access and property-specific instructions.
  • If a carbon monoxide alarm goes off or you smell gas, leave the area first, then call 911 from a safe place. NFD said not to use light switches or appliances if you suspect a flammable gas leak, and not to look for the source yourself.
  • Keep carbon monoxide alarms working. NFD asked residents to keep them working and maintained.
  • Other questions go to hubNashville or 311 (615-862-5000). The NFD main line is 615-862-5421.

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