METHUEN, MASS. (WHDH) - Homes and businesses in Methuen were evacuated as crews investigated a reported gas leak.
Reports of an active gas leak at an abandoned church at 135 Center St. prompted officers to begin evacuating homes and businesses in the surrounding area, according to a post on the department’s Twitter page.
About an hour later, all of the residents were allowed back into their homes.
There were no reported injuries.
Columbia Gas has located the source of the leak and temporarily shut off service to the area.
“Immediately upon detecting an odor of gas during a routine gas leak survey, crews worked with first responders to evacuate nearby building occupants,” a spokesperson for the utility said in a statement. “Our crews are continuing to work to ensure the safety of our natural gas distribution system and we will provide additional information as soon as it is available.”
No further information has been released.
@MethuenPolice Responding to an active gas leak at 135 Broadway Street. Evacuation of the building and surrounding buildings is beginning. Please seek alternate route to avoid the area of 135 Broadway. #Methuen via @ChiefSolomon
— Methuen Police 🇺🇸 (@MethuenPolice) November 15, 2019
Gas leak under control in Methuen…evacuated residents being allowed to return to their homes #7news pic.twitter.com/g5JGRPgywB
— Steve Cooper (@scooperon7) November 15, 2019
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