BREAKING NEWS: Oak Cliff office tower evacuated

[TexasStooge]

By APRIL KINSER / WFAA.com

DALLAS, Texas - Firefighters helped evacuate a 15-story office building just south of downtown Monday morning after maintenance workers smelled a strong natural gas aroma that reached “explosive limits.”

Dallas Fire-Rescue Lt. Joel Lavender said 50 to 100 people were in the Oak Cliff Tower at 400 S. Zang Blvd. when the gas leak was reported about 7:10 a.m. Firefighters helped move all workers to safety within minutes, he said.

“We’re fortunate this happened before normal business hours. It made it easier for us to evacuate,” he said.

Because potentially explosive levels of gas were measured, Zang Boulevard was closed in both directions and a one-block area surrounding the building was sealed off, snarling rush-hour traffic in the area.

The gas was turned off, but as of 8:30 a.m. it was considered “still at explosive limits with the gas-to-air ratio in the basement,” Lavender said.

Atmos Energy was on site to determine the cause.

Ralph Isenberg, the registered agent for the building’s owner, said Bank of America anchors the tower that houses 60 to 70 tenants. He was unclear about damage estimates.

Tenants include a Bank of America branch, the local office of former U.S. Rep. Martin Frost, and many lawyers and doctors.

“Right now, we’re more concerned about safety,” Isenberg said.

Kafi Persaud, a public health researcher for the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, said she smelled gas when she arrived, but still went to her desk and started checking e-mail.

“I didn’t know what to do,” she said.

A loudspeaker announced the evacuation. “I was glad when I heard that because it was a pretty strong smell,” Persaud said.

The building was expected to be closed for a couple of hours for ventilation, but Persaud thought it could mean a free day off.

“I’d be thrilled with that,” she said. “It’s definitely a strange way to start a Monday.”

WFAA ABC 8 contributed to this report.