No one injured in St. Charles gas leak fire

No one was injured Thursday morning when an underground gas leak caused a small fire in St. Charles.

Officials from the St. Charles Fire Department said an office building was evacuated at the intersection of Woodward Drive and Peck Road just after 8 a.m. Thursday after the fire was discovered.

Joe Schelstreet, public information officer for the St. Charles Fire Department, said an independent contractor was excavating a 6-foot by 18-foot sidewalk at the intersection when he hit the natural gas line.

The gas ignited in the area, and sent smoke along underground conduit lines to the office building in the 3000 block of West Main Street, he said.

The building was evacuated as a precaution after the basement of the office building filled with smoke, he said.

He said Nicor shut off the gas, ending the threat.

The fire remains under investigation.