Gas odor causes Peltz shoes, others to evacuate

The South Manatee Fire Department responded to a report of a gas odor at Peltz Shoes on University Parkway this morning.

Store managers got to Peltz Shoes at 8 a.m. and smelled gas.

Construction crews had been working on gas lines outside the back of the building yesterday.

Peltz Shoes and nearby stores were evacuated as a precaution.

Employees at Peltz Shoes were able to reenter their stores at 9:45 a.m., just before they opened at 10 a.m., said store manager Bryan Reece.

The gas lines outside were temporarily turned off, until crews determine how the problem started.

Stores are operating normal now.