Norwich ― A ruptured pressurized natural gas line led to evacuation of homes in the Asylum Street area on Tuesday.

The 6-inch gas supply line that feeds the Asylum Street area was punctured by work crews drilling as part of the ongoing Sherman Street bridge reconstruction project, Norwich Fire Department Battalion Chief Marc Benjamin said in a statement.

Firefighters, called out at 9:43 a.m., arrived to find a vapor plume shooting from the leak and evacuated nearby homes and created an isolation zone, Benjamin said. East Great Plain Fire Department aided in the evacuation and testing gas levels along New London Turnpike.

Norwich Public Utilities slowed the leak after one hour and completely stopped the leak in less than two hours. Benjamin said the fire department and Norwich Public Utilities tested buildings in the area to ensure there was no remaining gas.

Once it was safe, Benjamin said residents were allowed back into their homes. Norwich Public Utilities continues to work on making permanent repairs to the gas line. A portion of Asylum Street will remain closed for an extended period of time.