Wautoma’s police chief says all roads downtown are back open after a gas leak late Thursday morning.
Chief Paul Mott says a private contractor hit a main gas line while digging. Fire and police departments were called to the 100-block of South St. Marie Street at quarter after 11.
The courthouse, library, and most downtown businesses were evacuated. Alliant Energy cut off power to the area. Highway 73 (Main St.) was closed from Highway 21 (Cambridge St.) to Boat Landing Rd., and some side streets were closed as well.
Chief Mott says all of the roads reopened by 3 P.M., while We Energies was still making repairs. Some businesses reopened after firefighters vented gas from the buildings. The Wautoma Public Library closed for the rest of the day.
The Wautoma Police Department and Waushara County Emergency Management are investigating the incident.