A gas line repair and a reported natural gas leak kept firefighters busy today, though neither posed immediate danger to passers-by.
From 12 to 3 p.m. today, Athens city officials shut down half of South Shafer Street where it intersects West Union Street so Columbia of Ohio could repair a broken gas line, according to a city of Athens news release.
Columbia recently identified repairs were needed on a gas line in front of 97 S. Shafer St., and the company paid for the repairs, said Andy Stone, director of Engineering and Public Works.
The gas company could not be reached for comment.
"It's a small situation," Stone said. "Nothing serious."
Although the repairs are common, they are not normal for gas lines located in the street, Stone said.
The repairs should be finished and the street reopened by the end of business hours today, Stone said.
At about 1:15 p.m., firefighters responded to a reported natural gas odor behind Bentley Hall on West Mulberry Street.
Firefighters on scene said they had detected natural gas in the area but that there was no immediate danger.
Columbia was notified to identify the source of the gas at about 1:30 p.m. and firefighters remained on scene while waiting for the gas company to respond.
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