UPDATE: New Lexington Gas Leak

A gas leak forced evacuations in New Lexington early Tuesday…

Around 10:30 Tuesday morning, emergency crews were called to Maple Heights, off of Mill Street. New Lexington Fire Captain Don Phillips said a number of crews responded to take care of the problem.

"We had New Lex, Junction City, Crooksville. We had New Lex Police Department, Perry County Sheriff’s Office and New Lex Street Department," said Phillips.

Phillips said the leak came from a two-inch high pressure line, and Columbia Gas of Ohio was already working to correct the problem when crews arrived. He said at that point, it was their job to ensure the safety of residents in the area.

"We started evacuating people, two-block radius on all sides of the scene. We was having them sent to the high school. Perry County Transit was going to transport anyone that couldn’t get up there to the high school."

Columbia Gas was able to plug the leak shortly before 1pm Tuesday afternoon and worked to repair the line. No injuries were reported.