PORTALES, N.M. (AP) - A natural gas leak in one Portales neighborhood forced a handful of Portales residents to leave home. Police also safely removed children and workers from a daycare center Tuesday.
Residents were allowed to return home early Tuesday evening.
Portales Deputy Police Chief Lonnie Berry tells the Portales News Tribune the four homes and a daycare center were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Berry says the leak was stopped, however, repairs would last into early Wednesday.
Portales Fire Department Lt. Floyd Hancock says a natural gas line was struck while the ground was being drilled for a new power line pole.
New Mexico Gas spokeswoman Monica Hussey said making the area safe was the company's first priority.
Xcel Energy spokesman Wes Reeves said Tuesday company officials were on site but whether they struck the line or not was unknown.
---
Information from: Portales News-Tribune, http://www.pntonline.com
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
