Gas leak in downtown South Bend, Ind., forces evacuation of 4-blocks
By APThursday, October 7, 2010
Gas leak forces evacuations in South Bend, Ind.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A break in a high-pressure natural gas line has forced the evacuation of a four-square-block area of downtown South Bend and left rush-hour traffic snarled.
Police Capt. Phil Trent says the break was reported about 8:20 a.m. Thursday. He says it is not known how long it will take to cap the leak. He says some buildings will likely remain closed for hours until authorities can check them for gas.
Northern Indiana Public Service Co. spokesman Mike Charbonneau says the line was damaged by a contractor working on a street project.
Among the buildings evacuated are the city-county building and the St. Joseph County Courthouse. Police have routed traffic away from the area, causing traffic tie-ups throughout the city.
