Emergency crews evacuated a block in downtown Vancouver on Thursday evening because of a natural gas leak. The Vancouver Fire Department responded at about 6:45 p.m. to 806 Main St., for reports of a strong smell of natural gas. When crews arrived, they confirmed there was a natural gas problem, according to a news release. Because the building was in a downtown corridor, crews shut off the natural gas at the meter and evacuated the block from Washington to Main streets and Eighth to Ninth streets, the fire department said. NW Natural responded to assist and provide air monitoring. Crews also shut down power in the area because of the high readings of natural gas and carbon monoxide, the news release states. At about 9 p.m., crews were able to contain the leak and ventilate the buildings enough to lift the evacuations. Responders also turned the power back on, the fire department said.