A natural gas leak forced the evacuation of several homes and businesses in Norris City Friday afternoon, October 30, after dangerously high gas readings were detected near U.S. Route 45.
According to Norris City Fire Chief Troy Dagley, the incident began when residents noticed the smell of natural gas and contacted the fire department.
Firefighters responded to the area and discovered extremely high natural gas readings, prompting officials to evacuate several nearby residences, the Norris City Post Office, and Wonder Mart, the community’s local supermarket.
Workers eventually located the leak near a roadway just off U.S. Route 45.
The leak was first reported at approximately 11:50 a.m., and a private company was brought in to locate the damaged gas line and make the necessary repairs.
Chief Dagley said repairs were completed at approximately 3:30 p.m., nearly four hours after the leak was initially reported.
No injuries or fires were reported during the incident.
The cause of the gas line rupture remains under investigation.