Gas leak leads to evacuations near Mayhill Hospital in Denton, officials say

DENTON, Texas — Several businesses, including medical facilities, were evacuated in the area of Mayhill Hospital Thursday afternoon because of a gas leak, officials say.

The Denton Police Department shared in a post on social media at about 1 p.m. that crews were evacuating people and asking people to avoid the area around the hospital in the 2800 block of S. Mayhill Road because of the gas leak.

By about 2 p.m., only two addresses in the area remained evacuated, but officials are still asking people to avoid the area as crews work on repairs. 

”A short time ago, a two-inch gas line was accidentally struck in the area, prompting the fire department to evacuate multiple buildings that included a number of medical facilities. Mayhill hospital has been cleared and are allowing patients and staff to return to the building,” Denton said in a statement.  “Several properties remain evacuated as crews are on-site beginning repairs. There were no injuries reported as a result of the incident and public safety personnel have a visible presence at this time.”

Denton Fire Chief Kenneth Hedges told WFAA shortly after 2 p.m. that two addresses in the 2800 block of Mayhill Road remain evacuated, and it’s unclear when gas could be restored.

Atmos Energy said in a statement to WFAA that a construction crew doing work unrelated to Atmos damaged a natural gas pipeline in the area.

“The Denton Fire Department issued a precautionary evacuation of businesses in the area, and Atmos Energy’s highly trained technicians are on scene making the necessary repairs,” Atmos said in a statement. “The most common cause of outside natural gas leaks is digging or construction that disturbs natural gas pipelines. If you nick, scrape, or dent a natural gas pipeline, call 911 and then call Atmos Energy’s emergency number at 866-322-8667 so we can inspect the pipeline and make any needed repairs. Even minor damage can weaken a pipeline and lead to a future leak.”