Several businesses and the Durham School of the Arts were evacuated Thursday after a contractor hit a natural gas line.
Around 10 a.m., police say a work crew ruptured the gas line at West Morgan Street and Watts Street near Brightleaf Square.
Durham Police shut down West Main Street at North Buchanan Boulevard and North Gregson Street.
A third police unit was sent to Gregson Street and West Morgan Street.
Evacuations of the businesses on West Main Street between Albemarle Street and North Buchanan Boulevard began around 10:15 a.m.
A few minutes later, officials at the Durham School of the Arts complained about the odor of gas in their buildings. Officials decided to evacuate the students to a field next to the school.
There are approximately 1,405 students at DSA. Parents of the secondary school were being directed to West Peabody Street and South Gregson Street to pick up their children.
Just before 10:45 a.m., officials were notified that a daycare in the area was evacuated onto West Peabody Street.
PSNC has been called to repair the line. A Durham hazardous materials team has also been dispatched to the scene.
