Gas leak that evacuated Denver buildings stopped

A natural gas leak that evacuated several buildings in downtown Denver has been stopped, ending the risk of an explosion.

A construction crew damaged the 10-inch high pressure gas line near the University of Colorado’s Denver campus on Tuesday. Workers used a jackhammer to reach the line, which is about 3 feet below ground.

Denver Fire Department spokesman Mark Watson says they were able to turn off the flow of gas about two hours after the leak was reported.

Nearby buildings were told to shut off their air vents to prevent a gas buildup during the leak.