New London — City firefighters were aiding Eversource crews in the city’s south end Wednesday, going door-to-door to help shut off natural gas to more than 50 homes.

The effort was a precautionary measure while repairs continued on a gas main damaged earlier on Wednesday and being done to ensure that pilot lights on gas-powered appliances had not been extinguished. New London Fire Chief Thomas Curcio said the leak occurred after a contractor struck a gas main in the area of Thames and Sharaf streets.

After an evacuation of two dozen area residents, Curcio said, Eversource secured the leak.

The gas leak, however, created a low-pressure condition in some areas. Homes impacted were in the area of Montauk and Pequot avenues, including Lenox Street and Willow Lane. A spokesman for Eversource said crews would assist homeowners in relighting pilot lights.

The city fire department said it cleared the scene about 2:13 p.m.

Eversource said about 56 homes had been affected by the gas shutoff. It said it had conducted a call campaign to let customers know about the situation. The main was repaired and, as of late Wednesday evening, the utility company said it had restored service to all but three residences.

g.smith@theday.com