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NORTH WEBSTER - Residences and businesses in the Crystal Flash Road area were evacuated Thursday after a crew doing road work struck a gas line.
North Webster Superintendent of Works Marshall Minnick said, "The markings were off and a gas line got snagged."
Cripe Excavating was working on a town street project when the 1:15 p.m. incident occurred. Minnick said the 2-inch gas main was broken as a result of bad luck. He said extensive markings were done prior to the start of the job, but the location of the gas line was marked just far enough off that the equipment caught it before it was seen.
The town took every necessary precaution, Minnick said, including evacuating nearby homes and businesses.
People were taken from Midlakes Mobile Home Park, Smith Apartments, Dr. Williams' office and Crystal Flash Gas Station.
Members of the North Webster fire and police departments conducted the evacuation and helped with traffic control until the gas line was capped by about 3 p.m. by a NIPSCO crew.
Residents were allowed to return to their homes about 4 p.m., Minnick said.
