Gas leak closes St. Charles’ Main Street

A natural gas main was struck by a contractor Monday afternoon in downtown St. Charles, closing Main Street in both directions throughout the evening.

The St. Charles Fire Department responded to the call at about 2:30 p.m. in the area of 11th Avenue and east Main Street.

A contractor struck a 6-inch high pressure natural gas line that runs adjacent to east Main Street while doing some construction work, fire officials said.

Firefighters secured a perimeter around the leak and several businesses were evacuated as a precautionary measure, officials said.

Nicor workers tried to secure the leak, but as of 10 p.m. it still had not been fixed.