Gas leak forces hotel evacuation

SALT LAKE CITY — A gas leak forced the evacuation of the Salt Lake City Marriott University Park Hotel on Friday.

The leak was caused by a break in a half-inch pipe in the boiler room, according to the Salt Lake City Fire Department. About 80 people were escorted out of the hotel just before 7 a.m. They were taken to a nearby building for shelter.

Members of the University of Arizona baseball team were staying at the hotel prior to their game with the University of Utah Friday. Players said they were awakened by the fire alarm.

About an hour later, firefighters determined gas levels inside the hotel had dropped back to a safe level and guests were allowed to return to their rooms.

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