Gas leak forces St. Charles residents from homes

A number of St. Charles residents evacuated their homes Wednesday afternoon after a construction crew ruptured a natural gas main.

St. Charles firefighters arriving at the reported leak near the St. Charles Country Club at Route 25 and Fox Glen Drive found a four-inch high pressure gas line had been struck, according to the fire department.

The gas line runs adjacent to Route 25, and a perimeter was secured around the leak and several homes along Route 25 and on Fox Glen Drive, officials said.

Nicor responded to the scene and as of about 4:45 p.m., the leak was stopped and residents were able to return to their homes, officials said.

A Nicor crew is expected to remain on the scene into the night to complete the final repair.