Local

Gas leak repaired, residents back in homes

UPDATE @ 7:55 p.m.: Residents were allowed back in their homes about 10 minutes ago.

Twenty homes on Summerford Place were evacuated for nearly three hours tonight because of a large gas leak.

Vectren crews are still on scene making repairs, but there is no danger to residents. It took crews about two hours to shut off the gas to begin repairs. No residents lost service, according to fire officials.

A school bus requested to help shelter residents was canceled.

UPDATE @ 6:10 p.m.: A city of Centerville school bus is being brought in to shelter an estimated 25 to 30 residents forced to evacuate their homes because of the gas leak on Summerford Place, Washington Twp. Fire shift Cmdr. Joel Holbrook said.

Holbrook and Vectren spokeswoman Natalie Hedde said an existing 4-inch plastic main was struck by a contractor — not Vectren — during the installation of a sewer trench joint as part of a new house construction.

Six homes have been evacuated and no homes have lost gas service, said Hedde, director of corporate communication for the utility. If gas service has to be shut off to make the repairs, two homes on the block would be affected, she said.

How much time will be needed to make the repair is uncertain, although Holbrook said the Vectren crew on scene indicated they would be working at least 90 minutes.

There have been no injuries.

The evacuations occurred for safety reasons, Holbrook said, because “it’s certainly an explosive hazard at this point. It’s definitely a fire hazard. Any spark could potentially set this off.”

By moving residents out of harm’s way, “we lessen the chances of somebody flipping a light switch or starting a car. We’re here to ensure there’s no explosion or fire,” Holbrook said.

FIRST REPORT

What is being reported as a large gas leak has prompted the evacuation of several homes in the 200 block of Summerford Place.

According to Washington Twp. fire dispatch, a Vectren line was struck in the area of new home construction.

There are no reports of any injuries from the incident, which was reported about 5 p.m.

Some homes have been evacuated, although the number of people evacuated is not certain.

A Vectren crew is on scene.

We have a crew en route. We will update this report as we get information.

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