Gas main break causes evacuation in Camanche

CAMANCHE, Iowa — A construction crew struck a natural gas line in Camanche on Monday afternoon, forcing the evacuation of eight homes and a nearby church.

Emergency crews were called to 1431 S. Washington Blvd. about 3:20 p.m. after a crew installing a sewer line to a home hit a 2-inch gas main.

Eight nearby homes and Immanuel Lutheran Church were evacuated as a precaution, Camanche Fire Chief Dave Schutte said.

No injuries were reported, and a crew from Alliant Energy repaired the leak within an hour and a half, Schutte said. One customer lost natural gas service, but service was expected to be restored Monday night, according to Ryan Stenslend, spokesman for Alliant.