Lincoln Road gas leak under control

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK)-UPDATE: 11:59 a.m. Although Lincoln Road will remain closed until repair work is complete, people are now being allowed to return to their homes.

UPDATE: 11:44 a.m. The Idaho Falls Fire Department reports Intermountain Gas has the gas leak under control. Officials have not yet lifted evacuation directives in the area.

Original Story:
Idaho Falls firefighters evacuated homes on Lincoln Road, near the intersection of Deer Valley Drive and North Edmiston Drive, after report of a gas leak at around 9:15 a.m. Wednesday.

Intermountain Gas has crews on the scene to repair the leak, and fire department pumpers are standing by as a precaution. The damage was caused by an excavator that hit a gas line.

Fire Department officials said there was a strong smell of gas throughout the area.