A Montgomery County fire official said a car struck a gas meter that was attached to an apartment building early Sunday morning, forcing residents to evacuate.
Spokesman Pete Piringer said the incident occurred around 3 a.m. in the 6800 block of Fairfax Road in Bethesda. Piringer said several buildings and dozens of residents were evacuated after the meter was sheared off, causing a significant leak.
Piringer said residents were taken to a nearby Safeway grocery store for shelter. Hazmat crews were able to minimize the gas leak until Washington Gas could seal the break.
The apartment building and surrounding areas were reopened about two hours later.
