Gas leak prompts evacuations: Sheriff's officials close Hwy. 33 in Town of Trenton for two hours

TOWN OF TRENTON (WITI) -- Police and fire officials on Wednesday morning, July 30th responded to a gas leak in the Town of Trenton that led to evacuations.

It happened shortly after 10:00 a.m. in the area of Highway 33 in the Town of Trenton.

Washington County Sheriff's officials say a contracted business performing work in the south ditch line of Highway 33 approximately one-quarter of a mile west of Poplar Road struck and ruptured a four-inch gas pipe.

Newburg Fire personnel requested a half-mile radius of homes and businesses to be evacuated. Places immediately neighboring the evacuation radius were simply advised of the leak.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office assisted with evacuation efforts -- and the closing of a two-mile stretch of Highway 33 between Trenton Road and Highway M.

We Energies crews arrived on scene, and repaired the ruptured pipe -- stopping the gas leak.

The evacuation of residents and businesses lasted for an hour-and-a-half -- and Highway 33 was closed to traffic for two hours.

No one was injured.