Antioch contractor plans methane ventilation dig

The Nashville Fire Department continues to mandate evacuations for The Crest apartment building and six townhomes in Burkitt Ridge, Antioch, following a spike in underground gas levels that began early Saturday morning. The department cited high concentrations of methane and carbon monoxide as the cause, prompting the displacement of families, including infants, into hotels and short-term rentals.

The incident traces back to construction activity near the residential area. NFD officials believe a methane pocket was disturbed by digging or blasting, allowing natural gas to flow into the neighborhood. While other townhomes showed varying levels of methane, the department did not order those residents to leave because carbon monoxide was not detected. However, many homeowners chose to evacuate voluntarily after firefighters advised them that the air was unsafe for young children.

Carly Scheuer, a mother of two, left her home on Sunday after a fireman told her it was not safe for her children. She subsequently took her three-month-old to the hospital after he displayed signs of carbon monoxide exposure, including bloodshot eyes and difficulty waking from naps. Scheuer returned home on Tuesday as gas levels dropped, noting that roughly 30 other homes in the area had evacuated at one point.

Lauren Parker, who has a newborn and a two-year-old, remains displaced. She said her house is now testing at lower levels, but she is hesitant to return until the entire community is cleared. Parker noted that the family has spent considerable money on temporary housing and is unsure when they can move back.

NFD stated that it is continuing to detect low levels of methane in the area. The department said it is evaluating whether these readings represent existing background conditions in an area with ongoing construction. A baseline methane concentration for the location has not been established, and the source and contributing factors remain under evaluation.

The construction contractor and property developer plan to excavate a trench to ventilate the gases under the construction site. Those operations are expected to begin this week, possibly starting Wednesday afternoon. RAM Partners, which manages The Crest apartments, said it is offering residents financial assistance for temporary living expenses. Ghertner & Company, the homeowners association management firm, had not responded to media inquiries as of Wednesday.

NFD said on Wednesday afternoon that residences outside the designated evacuation area have not been identified as requiring evacuation based on current monitoring and assessments.