Active Gas Leak Prompts Business Evacuations in Forest

(Forest, VA)—First responders are on the scene of an active gas leak on Graves Mill Road in Forest.

The Bedford 911 Communications Center received a call at about 9:18 a.m. from someone reporting the smell of gas in the area of Graves Mill Road and Vista Centre Drive. The Forest Fire Department responded to the scene and determined that a propane tank near the Ferguson HVAC building had been struck by a tractor trailer. They started evacuating nearby businesses. In total, seven buildings were evacuated. No injuries have been reported.

The entrance to Graves Mill Road at Route 221 is closed to all traffic. Residents who live in the Lake Vista and Forest Lakes neighborhoods will have to use Cottontown Road or Gumtree Road. This road closure is expected to last through the day. School bus routes in the area will be redirected away from the scene.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is on the scene to assist, as well as the Bedford County Department of Fire & Rescue, Lynchburg Fire department and Bedford County Sheriff’s Office.

More updates will be released later today.