Gas leak forces traffic shutdown in Deerfield Township

A gas leak forced authorities to shut down Mason-Montgomery Road and evacuate some nearby businesses Thursday afternoon, Fire Chief Chris Eisele said construction workers hit a 4-inch underground gas line while fixing part of the road. "We wanted to make sure we can get the gas leak controlled to make sure there wasn’t any further damage or a catastrophe that would come about from gas leaking into the atmosphere," Eisele said. County officials closed Mason-Montgomery Road between Merten and Parkway drives and instructed drivers to take alternative routes. County spokeswoman Savannah Shafer said the area would likely remain closed until midnight.