UPDATED: Gas leak prompts evacuation of several homes, businesses in Norwich
Norwich — The Norwich Fire Department and Norwich Public Utilities blocked off North Main Street and evacuated several homes and businesses after discovering a “significant” gas leak in a line beneath the street shortly before 4 p.m. Monday.
North Main Street was blocked at the Boswell Avenue intersection. The H&T Market, Dunkin and RAK Food Mart on North Main, along with four homes were evacuated initially, Norwich Fire Department Battalion Chief Scott Merchant said.
Additional homes and businesses were evacuated later as repair work started.
"NPU crews are working to repair a cracked natural gas main that has caused a significant gas leak near the intersection of North Main Street and Boswell Avenue," NPU spokesman Chris Riley said in a press release.
Repairs were completed by shortly after 6 p.m., Riley said.
As a precaution, Norwich Police and Norwich Fire Department evacuated residences and businesses on North Main Street, Boswell Avenue, Burton Court, Barnes Street, Margerie Street and Edwood Drive in the vicinity of the leak.
Riley said the evacuees were expected to be allowed to return to their buildings by 7 p.m.
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