Gas leak disrupts South End neighborhood for hours

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It took crews hours to repair a gas leak Wednesday evening in South End.

The Charlotte Fire Department said a gas line ruptured around 5 p.m. on South Caldwell Street near South Boulevard.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the area where crews worked to fix the line.

A third-party construction crew cut a Piedmont Natural Gas line, a PNC spokesperson said.

South Caldwell Street in South End was closed until midnight as crews made repairs.

Officials said there were multiple reports of a strong gas smell in the area, but no threat.

Residents and business owners near the gas leak told Channel 9 reporter Brianna Harper the noise from the initial eruption and the smell were distinct.

Strawn Tower -- a senior living community -- is right next to where the line break happened.

There was a “really strong gas odor and with me having a breathing problem and so forth, it’s a good thing my friend came and told me because I was laid up in my apartment,” resident Bryant Phillips said.

He was one of several residents who spent hours outside Wednesday evening as a precaution.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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