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Evacuations lifted after broken gas line repaired in Town 'N Country

 
Hillsborough County officials say the gas leak occurred when construction crews, using an auger, struck the line behind the Buccaneer Square shopping plaza at the 8500 block of W  Hillsborough Avenue, near Memorial Highway. [Hillsborough County]

Hillsborough County officials say the gas leak occurred when construction crews, using an auger, struck the line behind the Buccaneer Square shopping plaza at the 8500 block of W Hillsborough Avenue, near Memorial Highway. [Hillsborough County]
Published Feb. 22, 2017

A broken gas line Wednesday morning caused the evacuation of a shopping center and nearby apartment complex in Town 'N Country.

The gas leak occurred around 10:45 a.m. when construction crews, using an auger, struck the 2-inch line behind the Aldi shopping center at the intersection of Sheldon Road and W Hillsborough Avenue.

Fire crews, responding to a 911 call, reported a heavy gas smell in the areas, prompting the evacuation of the Aldi shopping center, two homes and a nearby apartment building.

Crews repaired the line in just over an hour, officials said, and the evacuation was lifted.