Major Gas Fumes at my hometown's Abandoned Dept. Store

[TexasStooge]

Fear of fire triggers Irving evacuation

By JONATHAN BETZ / WFAA-TV

IRVING, Texas — Fear that a gasoline-soaked building could catch fire led to the evacuation of other buildings and homes near the Plymouth Park Shopping Center in Irving Friday night.

A potentially dangerous concentration of gasoline fumes was detected in a now-vacant building that once housed a Fazio's department store.

Officials shut down power and evacuated dozens of homes and businesses out of fear the building could ignite.

"A fireman came and told us we have to get out," said Emily Escobar. "It's kind of scary."

The evacuation order came after neighboring businesses began calling 911 to complain about the distinctive aroma of gasoline in the area. When emergency crews arrived, they could smell the fumes from hundreds of feet away.
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I had many memories of that facility when it was still open as Fazio's...now it's a dormant building for 10 years.

It's a shame to see what's happening right now.