(La Porte, IN) - A major natural gas leak today is under control in La Porte’s downtown area.

The fire department and other emergency responders were called about 10:45 a.m. when a crew boring into the ground to install high speed fiber struck and broke a natural gas line at Madison and Washington St.

La Porte Assistant Fire Chief Kelly Burke said a municipal storm sewer line was also ruptured, which allowed the natural gas to filter into the storm sewer system.

He said manhole covers were lifted off multiple storm sewers to alleviate pressure and to keep the natural gas from filtering through the lines into any nearby structures like Northwest Health.

NIPSCO crews were also dispatched to the scene to shut off the gas.

“Everything is under control now.  We’re just monitoring it, waiting for them to get the gas shut off and patch the break,” Burke said.