SOUTHINGTON, Conn. --
A backhoe struck a Southington gas line late Wednesday morning, forcing the evacuation of several businesses on the Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, police said.
The leak was reported in the area of the Milldale Center Plaza before 11:30 a.m.
Officials said a backhoe that was digging in an effort to install a new light pole, struck the gas line.
Responding firefighters told Eyewitness News that when they arrived, they could hear the sound of gas gushing from the line while exiting their trucks.
Businesses inside the plaza were evacuated, including several animals from a pet store.
The gas was immediately turned off to the area and firefighters began metering gas levels in the businesses inside the plaza.
People were being allowed back inside buildings just after noon and officials said the road would be reopened by 12:30 p.m.
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