Gas leak prompts evacuations

Updated 7:30 p.m. –

Xcel Energy says the gas leak is under control and they are allowing people to go back into their homes.

Original story:

A gas leak in Pueblo caused at least five homes to be evacuated this evening.

The Pueblo fire department says 10 homes in the area of 1800 west 18th and 19th streets are in the affected area.

They say no one else was inside the other five homes.

The good news is that the gas leak has been capped and they’re hoping to allow people back in to their houses by 7 p.m. tonight.

BACKGROUND:

Around 4:15 Pueblo Fire responded to a call of a natural gas leak.

Private contractors were operating a backhoe while digging and they struck a 3/4 inch natural gas line that is connected to another six inch natural gas line.

They say 75 pounds of pressure were coming off of the damaged line.

Xcel energy helped the contractors to cap the gas line.