Gas leak fixed, evacuees to return

NEW CARLISLE, Ind. -- A large gas leak at 513 S. Bray St. prompted the evacuations of 30 to 45 homes Tuesday morning.

As the wind shifted, firefighters said they were also forced to evacuate a library and Olive Elementary School at 300 W. Ben St.

The school superintendent said school was not in session at the time. There was a group of 4-H students and some employees who were evacuated.

Parents were notified to come pick up those children.

St. Joseph County Firefighters are currently staging out of Olive Elementary School.

Firefighters said about 90 people were evacuated all together. Those who didn't have somewhere else to go were taken to city hall because it is air conditioned. EMS workers are on hand to help anyone with special medical needs.

As of 1 p.m. a NIPSCO spokesperson said they had one person on the scene of the break.

The NIPSCO spokesperson said a contractor was doing some excavation in the area when the contractor hit the main gas line.

Drivers were being kept away from the break. Roads were closed in a 4 block radius around the leak.

Firefighters say the gas main was capped around 2:45 p.m. and the firefighter believed residents would be allowed to return to their homes about 3:15 p.m.

They were waiting for the gas cloud to disperse.