ANTIOCH, Tenn. – Residents of the Burkitt Ridge neighborhood were ordered to evacuate their homes early Saturday after the fire department detected dangerous gas concentrations near a construction site that had been conducting blasting operations.
Families displaced and safety concerns
Mary Akers, a mother of two young children, said she was notified by firefighters that her home was unsafe. “We were told by the fire department yesterday morning that we should evacuate, that it was unsafe,” she explained. Akers lives close to the construction zone and requested a check of her house after learning that a nearby apartment building had been evacuated for the same reason.
Chris Parker, another parent with two young kids, received a knock on his door early Saturday morning. “They tested levels and they were high and we were told to get out,” he recounted. Both families expressed frustration over the lack of clear communication from the homeowners association (HOA) and the builder regarding when it would be safe to return.
Cause under investigation
Fire officials have not yet determined the exact source of the gas. A geologist consulted by the fire crews believes that construction work may have disturbed a methane pocket underground, releasing the gas into nearby homes.
The fire department’s initial response focused on evacuating a nearby apartment building on Ben Hill Drive, which also reported elevated gas levels. The incident underscores the importance of rapid public‑safety coordination when construction activities intersect with residential areas.
Impact on families
With the evacuation lasting multiple days, families are incurring additional expenses for temporary lodging. “We can only finance this for so long, you know, staying at hotels and Airbnb’s. So not knowing when we might have some financial relief is definitely an anxiety for us as well,” Parker said.
Both Akers and Parker noted that the HOA and the builder have sent follow‑up emails, but a definitive timeline for a safe return remains uncertain. “There is an indefinite timeline of how long this is going on,” Akers added.
Next steps
Investigators continue to monitor gas levels and will issue further guidance once the source is identified and the area is deemed safe. Residents are urged to stay in contact with local fire officials and the HOA for updates.
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Original reporting: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
