* Update* Gas Leak Closes Linden Avenue

The Zanesville Police Department says Linden Avenue is closed Tuesday morning after a contractor struck a two inch natural gas pipeline. It happened on Linden Avenue between Hoge and Tileston around 9:15. The Zanesville Fire Department is evacuating some homes in the area as a precaution until the gas leak can be repaired. Muskingum County Emergency Management Agency Director Jeff Jadwin says residents with a 1/4 mile of the gas leak will be notified by phone to stay inside their homes with their windows shut until the leak is repaired. Columbia Gas has indicated it hoped to have the problem resolved by 10:15 a.m. ZPD is requesting those planning on using Linden Avenue to use an alternate route.