Sixteen homes on Lea Hill were evacuated early Friday morning following reports of methane gas detection in the area of Southeast 133 Avenue SE and Southeast 310 Street.

The methane gas was first detected by Puget Sound Energy the previous evening while doing normal soil sampling in the neighborhood, City officials reported. After discovering the gas, PSE did further sampling and determined that the soil contamination was on more than one residential property.

Standard protocol for PSE when detecting gas that is not part of their system is to call 911. The Valley Regional Fire Authority – in addition to hazardous materials teams from the Kent RFA, Renton RFA, South King Fire and Rescue, and the Port of Seattle – responded to the incident.

The homes were evacuated around 4 a.m. as a precaution until the source and extent of the methane gas could be determined, officials said. The gas is potentially explosive when it reaches high levels and finds an ignition source.

Air monitoring of the 16 homes and properties found that the methane gas levels were very low, and the families were allowed to reoccupy their homes. Metro buses were brought to the scene to keep displaced residents warm.

No source for the methane was discovered and there were no reported illness from the gas.

City of Auburn staff are following up and will conduct further investigations, as appropriate.

Local residents and businesses surrounding the area have been contacted and are receiving continuing updates from the City.