6 houses evacuated in Plato Township

Six houses in Plato Township were evacuated Thursday night after a minivan crashed into a natural gas meter, authorities said.

A 36-year-old Elgin man was turning a 2001 Chevrolet Astro van around at a residence at 39W318 Rt. 20 in unincorporated Plato Township when he struck the gas meter, causing a leak, about 7:20 p.m., Kane County sheriff's Lt. Patrick Gengler said.

None of the six occupants of the van were injured, and the house where the meter was hit was vacant, Gengler said.

The man had been looking at the home as a potential buyer before pulling out onto Route 20. He struck the meter in the front yard of the residence on his way out, Gengler said.

Nicor received a call about 10 minutes after the accident, and crews were still on the scene as of 8:30 p.m., said spokesman Richard Caragol.

Six houses within a half-mile radius of the gas leak were evacuated as a precaution, Gengler said.

Route 20 remained closed between Coombs Road and Switzer Road late Thursday as Nicor crews worked to turn the gas off.

Caragol said Nicor crews will have to dig into the ground to shut off the leak.