Residents and their pets have returned home to the Frank Cook senior living center on Baker Street after the building was condemned for about 24 hours due to a gas leak.

Around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, the smell of gas was detected outside the structure. According to Zanesville Assistant Fire Chief Doug Hobson, the ZFD and Columbia Gas were able to trace the leak to several pipes inside the building which caused for the gas to spread throughout the complex via plumbing and other infrastructure.

Hobson said tenants were initially relocated to the nearby Singer Center until the Muskingum County EMA and American Red Cross could open an overnight shelter at North Terrace Church of Christ. There, meals were provided to the residents and their pets.

More than a dozen cats, four dogs and several birds were removed from the complex and taken to the shelter where they stayed in a tent throughout the duration of the evacuation.

Hobson said firefighters also retrieved important items and medications for the evacuees.

Other area agencies that assisted include the Guernsey County Dog Warden, The Animal Shelter Society Inc., South East Area Transit and Christ’s Table.

According to Hobson, water and electricity have been restored to the facility, but residents remain without gas until further repair is completed.

Residents were given the all clear to return to their apartments just before 1 p.m. Wednesday.