Major gas leak forces evacuations and school bus rerouting in Fayetteville neighborhood

A "major gas leak" in Fayetteville Monday afternoon blocked access to the Westhaven neighborhood, forcing residents to evacuate and school buses to turn around.

The leak was caused by a crew working on the Interstate 295 bypass, who hit a 6-inch gas pipe. The sole access road to the neighborhood was blocked near the corner of Stoney Point Road and Amour Drive.

Several West Haven homes were evacuated, and children on bus routes headed for that area were taken back to school and their parents notified.

Edward Ellis found out about the gas leak right outside his neighborhood from a post in the community group.

"I was kind of concerned, and at that time, I was trying to go to the school to get my daughter," Ellis said. "But we couldn't go to the school to get her. At that point, it's a good thing she had a cell phone, so she was able to contact me, and I was able to contact her to figure out what's going on."

Many residents were forced to leave their homes, while others were forced to stay inside. Miranda Miller, who was on her way home when she learned of the leak, said she could smell the gasoline from more than a block away.

"You can smell it from far away too. Not even our neighborhood," Miller said.

Miller's brother was one of the students who was turned around.

"He had to go back to school and he called me to see if I could pick him up because my sister who is home couldn't leave the neighborhood," Miller said. "I think he just kind of waited there and found a different way."

Stoney Point Road was closed between Grimes and Barefoot roads, and motorists were advised to find alternate routes and stay clear of the area.

Battalion Chief Logan Herndon said Stoney Point Road would be shut down for about 10 to 12 hours for repairs. He said an access road had to be built to allow residents to escape.