Residents evacuated for Ottawa gas leak

A high pressure gas line was struck in the southwest corner of McKinley School’s parking lot in Ottawa, evacuating 18 residents and shutting down McKinley Road in both directions near the State Street intersection.

McKinley Road was blocked from Catherine Street to the 200 block of West McKinley Road. State Street was closed from View Street to McKinley Road.

A contractor told an Ottawa firefighter as they were returning back to the station across the street from the leak area, they had struck the high pressure line.

Ottawa firefighters said they could hear a loud noise coming from the area.

All machines were turned off and Nicor was notified. The gas company arrived at 4:07 p.m. and crews stayed on the scene until 6:32 p.m.