RICHMOND, Va. – Richmond Fire is investigating an alleyway gas meter fire outside a Richmond apartment building Sunday night.
Fire officials said they received a call for the fire at 1710 East Franklin St. at 8:07 p.m. Crews arrived minutes later at 8:10 p.m.
Officials said the fire started after a piece of cardboard in an alleyway caught fire next to a gas meter. The gas meter melted and gas started coming out of the pipe connected to the meter and ignited in flames.
The apartment building and the entire block was evacuated for safety precautions, as crews awaited the Richmond Department of Utilities to shut off the gas.
Fire crews extinguished the fire. Once utility crews arrived to the scene the gas was shut off.
The scene is now clear. No injuries were reported.