Pocono News Section

Shopping Plaza Evacuated

Shopping Plaza Evacuated - Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 2:28PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Thursday, Nov 13, 2008 @ 02:28pm EST
EAST STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY - Dozens of people were evacuated from a shopping plaza in the Poconos at about 8:30 Thursday morning.

They stood outside for hours while firefighters tried to control a gas leak.

Phillip Volino was opening the National Auto Store in the Pocono Plaza when he noticed a strange smell. He explained, "That smell of gas. That strong smell they got in the gas."

At the nearby Radio Shack Matthew Diaz suddenly felt sick. "I just started to feel light headed," he said.

Ellen Gomez didn't notice anything wrong at all until rescue workers rushed into Diva's Hair Studio. "They came in EMS and they said we have to hurry up and evacuate. There's a gas leak."

Beatrice Lamente added, "Everybody was going out the door so I just ran out the door."

The gas leak at the Ichiban restaurant forced customers and employees from nine different businesses in the Pocono Plaza. They stood in the rain for more than two hours while firefighters tried to blow gas from the building.

It wasn't easy because the stores share attic space. "There's not too many places that we can get into with the fans and open up a space that we can create an airflow through the ceiling," said Fire Chief Billy Miller.

So customers waited with half done hair and business owners worried about lost sales. Brian Trung owns Pro Nails. He said, "The gas makes a smell. People are scared to come." His business was not evacuated but people were afraid to come close to the building.

Even though no one was hurt it seems the gas leak burned some profits.

"A gas leak is no joke," said Diaz.