Gas Leak Forces Downers Grove Residents, Businesses to Evacuate

A gas leak near downtown Downers Grove forced several residents and businesses to evacuate for nearly three hours Friday morning, fire department officials said.

A worker replacing sewer lines on Main Street, just south of Maple Avenue, hit a two-inch, high-pressure gas line around 8:13 a.m., according to Downers Grove Fire Department spokesperson Marsha Giesler. Firefighters and Nicor officials closed down Main Street between Maple Avenue and 55th Street while they determined the extent of the leak.

Families in several residences and three businesses were ordered to evacuate, and were given the option to seek shelter at Fire Station 2 or the Lincoln Center. Others in the immediate area were directed to shelter in place until further notice.

Nicor was able to stop the leak by 10:45 a.m., at which point residents and businesses were able to resume their normal activities, Giesler said. Workers from Nicor were expected to remain on the scene for several hours to complete repairs.

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