Gas leak contained in Wake Forest

Construction crews working off of Purnell Road hit a gas line around 4 p.m., PSNC Energy spokeswoman Angie Townsend said. 

"A construction company was boring under the road and basically hit an 8-inch gas main," Wake Forest Fire Department Assistant Chief Daryl Cash said.

Purnell Road between Jackson and Bud Smith roads was closed for several hours while PSNC crews continued working on the leak, Townsend said. It was passable by early Friday. 

The entrance to the Waters Edge Subdivision, which was also closed, was reopened to traffic at 10:30 p.m., town officials said. 

"Most people in the neighborhood are being held hostage, can't get in or out," resident Steve Grubb said earlier Thursday. 

Grubb walked nearly 2 miles through the woods with a flashlight to get food. 

The odor of gas was strong at Grubb's home.

"It is pretty powerful, almost nauseating," he said. 

One home near the leak was evacuated, but no other evacuations were ordered. If evacuations are ordered, authorities will go door-to-door to let residents know, Cash said.

Crews finished installing a bypass line around 9:30 p.m., so no customers lost service.

The gas was dissipating into the air and crews were monitoring the situation. 

"We got enough wind that is carrying it away from the scene where we are at," Cash said. 

Residents are being asked to stay indoors and motorists should avoid the area.