A gas line was cut about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday by construction crews laying underground power lines near the intersection of Seventh and Dewey. Traffic in the vicinity is blocked, and homeowners in the vicinity have been evacuated, according to Perry Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Brian Eiteman.
The break occurred in an unexposed hole in the alley running east of Sixth Street between Rawson and Dewey streets.
Eitmann said the construction crew was using a boring machine and accidentally hit the gas line, leaving perhaps a 1.5 inch hole. He said four homeowners were evacuated, while others nearby are either vacant or no one is at home.
A MidAmerican Energy repair crew arrived about 6 p.m. and began excavating the underground line with a backhoe. Eiteman said utility workers told him they would repair the line with a splice.
Perry Police Department officers and members of the Perry Volunteer Fire Departments are standing by until repairs are complete.
“The rest of the houses are uphill,” Eiteman said, “which is a big help to us.” He said natural gas vapors seek a lowpoint and tend to fill basements and other low lying areas.
ThePerryNews.com will update this story as more information becomes available.
