UPDATE: Propane Leak Caused By Contractor

UPDATE: 10:30 A.M.: Bennington Road is now open, and we have confirmed that the gas leak was caused by a contractor.

According to Windham Fire Chief Tom McPherson, the contractor was doing some landscaping work when they sheared off the neck of the tank. The house was located about a quarter mile down the road from the Heritage Hill Road entrance.

McPherson said that the 1,000-gallon tank had about 890 gallons left in it.

He added that the house is fairly new, as is the neighborhood.

The tank was marked, but McPherson said the contractor just ended up swinging the machine over and knocked it off.

Nobody was injured in the incident, and McPherson said there was no indication at this point that any summons or citations would be issued for the contractor involved in the leak.

Tankers rotated in and out due to Windham's lack of a municipal water supply. The fire department was utilizing a pressurized hydrant located off of Mammoth Road near Pleasant St.

Due to the heat, hydration was also a big issue. The Salvation Army Emergency Canteen service arrived on site to provide water and gatorade for the workers.

Corps Officer Chris Williams said that he had to replenish his supply, as he was on scene at a blaze in Derry yesterday, which Windham also supported on.

He had about 10 cases of water ready and at the go, and added that there were no signs of dehydration for any of the fire or police officials.

UPDATE, 9:50 A.M.: Bennington Road remains closed at this hour as crews continue to work to contain the gas leak.

There are no estimates at this point as to when the road will reopen.

UPDATE, 8:50 A.M.: The gas company has arrived at the scene and is trying to cap the leak, which is reportedly in a 1,000-gallon tank.

Bennington Road, an upscale residential neighborhood, remains closed to traffic.

UPDATE, 8:30 A.M.: Windham has now called in mutual aid, including two additional tankers to the scene of the gas leak.

Traffic is currently blocked off at the front of Bennington Road.

An earlier story follows:

The Windham Fire Department is responding to an active propane leak on Bennington Road this morning.

The underground leak was reported just before 8 a.m. at 15 Bennington Road, according to emergency radio broadcasts. Some residents are reportedly being evacuated.

Bennington Road is located on the west side of town, off Heritage Hill Road.

Windham Patch will have more on this story as it develops.