HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An area of East 4th between Airport Road and Corey Road was blocked Monday afternoon because of a gas leak. This would be the area in front of Eaton’s in the 3300 block of east 4th.
Eastbound traffic was diverted onto Corey Road while they worked the break. Apparently a contractor was boring in that area when he struck a six-inch main. This was on the north side of the street, according to Hutchinson Fire Department officials. Fire units found active gas spewing from the gas main when they arrived.
Although there was gas leaking, the north wind blew the fumes into a field in front of the Eaton plant and dissipated before it threatened the building. There were no evacuations and no one was in any danger. Businesses in the immediate area were monitored with no reading of gas found. Early indications showed that there may have been gas inside the storm drain system however monitoring proved this to be false.
Kansas Gas Service workers initially dug holes on both sides of the broken main and clamped it off. They fixed the line.
The call coming into the Hutchinson Fire Department around 12:30 p.m.