A gas leak occurred as a tanker was off loading propane at the Amerigas Company on Grass Valley Avenue in the Loma Rica business Park this morning.  The accident happened shortly before 8  a.m.  and was first reported as an explosion which drew a full structure fire response, including 4 fire engines and 2 Battalion Chiefs to the scene.  Upon arrival Grass Valley Fire Battalion Chief Mark Buttron says they determined there was no explosion but about 25 gallons of propane gas had escaped into the atmosphere.
click to hear Battalion Chief Mark Buttron
Firefighters went door to door evacuating businesses in the area. After about 30 minutes the gas had dissipated and they were allowed back into the buildings.   A CHP Commercial Enforcement Officer is investigating what caused the delivery truck to move. Nevada County Environmental Health also responded to the incident.