Road signs block the 1100 block of New York Street on Monday, Sept. 20. A natural gas line break forced crews to shut down 12th Street between Connecticut to New Jersey streets while they made repairs.

A natural gas line break forced crews to shut down 12th Street between Connecticut to New Jersey streets while Black Hills Energy crews made repairs.

Emergency crews shut down 12th Street between Connecticut and New Jersey streets about 9:40 a.m. Monday due to a gas line break.

Black Hills Energy spokesman Curt Floerchinger said construction crews broke a two-inch gas line at the intersection of 12th and New York streets.

Emergency crews were on standby until workers repaired the line about 10:05 a.m. A natural gas odor could be smelled from a block away while the line was being repaired.

Lawrence Douglas County Fire & Medical Captain Scott Dieker said emergency crews tried to evacuate the three homes closest to the line break as a precaution, but they were vacant.

Gas service was shut off for three residential customers, Floerchinger said, but service should be restored by noon.

The 1100 block of New York street continues to be closed for repairs.