A city work crew cut a gas line Thursday morning, causing a gas leak that forced authorities to evacuate buildings around downtown and several main streets.
Joe Coffey, the commissioner of the water department, said crews discovered a water leak Wednesday night and hit the gas line when they returned to make repairs Thursday morning.
The rupture and a subsequent explosion occurred near a grassy patch near the intersection of James Street and Maiden Lane. Fire Chief Joseph W. Gregory said National Grid crews were at the scene and efforts were being made to turn off the gas, but at 11:30 a.m. - more than two hours after the leak occurred - crews were still working to get at the rupture.