An excavator struck a natural gas main on Madison's far west side Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
The Madison Fire Department said crews responded at about 12:45 p.m. to the 9900 block of White Fox Lane after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting the smell of natural gas in the area.
Firefighters created a perimeter around the leak, evacuated all construction workers from the danger zone and ordered all equipment to be shut off, officials said. The crew could see and hear the pressurized gas shooting up from a hole near the sidewalk.
Madison police provided traffic control as Madison Gas and Electric responded, the report said. The safety perimeter was expanded, and firefighters continued to standby as MGE technicians clamped the gas line.