SMITHFIELD – A gas leak prompted a brief evacuation of several homes in Downtown Smithfield. Around 10:45am Wednesday, contractors installing a fiber optic line on North Fourth Street accidentally severed a natural gas line.
As a precaution, residents on North Fourth Street, between Bridge and Caswell Streets, were evacuated from their homes until the leak could be contained.
The Smithfield Fire Department used a wheelchair to assist one elderly resident from their home. The Smithfield Police Department rerouted traffic until the roadway could be reopened.
No injuries were reported.
