Gas leak causes evacuation at Cathedral City gas station

A gas leak at an Arco station on the corner of Date Palm and Gerald Ford Tuesday morning caused an evacuation of the AM-PM and roads to be temporarily closed.

Cathedral City fire chief Paul Wilson said crews responded to the gas leak call just after 9:30 a.m. He said something broke in the compression tank, which caused natural gas to seep out.

Wilson said fire crews evacuated just the AM-PM as a precaution as they took position to secure the scene. He said the gas leak was under control.

Monique Gonzalez, an employee stocking merchandise inside the building, said she heard a noise from the compression tank and could smell gas inside. She said quick thinking from the gas station employees allowed them to remain calm.

“They did everything that they were trained for to do,” she said. “I just continued working. I called my supervisor. Let her know, sent her pictures.”

Wilson said all roads have reopened to traffic and the gas station would reopen later in the day.