By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — More than 100 business employees and residents in the middle of Hutchinson were evacuated for a little over an hour Thursday morning after a gas main was ruptured.
According to Hutchinson Fire, a horizontal boring machine was working in the alley between Main and Walnut when it struck a four-inch gas main just before 11 a.m. As a precaution, an area from Main east to Poplar and 8th Avenue north to 10th was evacuated. In all 110 people were accounted for in the evacuation, according to Doug Hanen of the Hutchinson Fire Department.
Kansas Gas crews were able to shut the gas line down and residents were allowed to return to their homes around 12:25 p.m. Streets were opened back up with the exception of East 9th Avenue which will stay closed from Main to Walnut until repairs can be made to the gas line.
The Salvation Army was opened up for anyone who needed a place to go during the evacuation. There were no injuries reported.
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