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Leaking Gas Meter Forces Evacuation Of Wal-Mart

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By RONNIE BLAIR

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 10, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - A Wal-Mart Supercenter was evacuated for about two hours Saturday after a passerby smelled gas leaking from a natural gas meter outside the building.

The leak at the store at 7631 Gall Blvd. was reported at 12:49 p.m.

Officer Ken Keith of the Zephyrhills Police Department, who helped with the evacuation, said the gas meter fed into a McDonald's restaurant inside the Wal-Mart Supercenter.

After everyone was safely outside, the police and fire departments contacted Peoples Gas and were told to shut off the meter until the company could send someone repair it, Keith said.

Once it was determined everything was secure, shoppers and employees were allowed back inside the store, Keith said.

Keith and several other police officers happened to be at the Wal-Mart when the leak was reported because they were collecting donations of school supplies to give to needy children.

They also were collecting cash donations for their "Shop with a Cop" program, in which the police department buys school clothes for the children.

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