WFD responded to possible gas leak at Costco, store evacuated

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Holiday shoppers at Costco in Wilmington had to leave their shopping carts and head outside Tuesday afternoon. 

A Wilmington Fire Department spokeswoman says Costco was evacuated.

The parking lot was blocked but fire trucks have since left the area, and employees have headed back inside as of 4:50 p.m. 

Wilmington Police say the fire department was responding to a possible gas leak. 

The fire department says Piedmont Gas confirmed it was a leak in the valve to one of the pastry ovens. The leak was stopped, and the valve was secured. They added that the gas company released the store back to management.

More than 100 gas leaks have happened in Wilmington during the past year.