Gas line break forced lanes of Peachtree St. to close

ATLANTA - Several lanes of Peachtree Sheet were shut down Wednesday after a gas line ruptured. 

People in buildings and homes said they were evacuated around 4 p.m. as crews worked to fix the broken gas line. Areas around Peachtree Street and 17th Street remained shut down during rush hour.

People were forced to stand outside buildings for five and a half hours until they could return to their homes and workplaces.

Atlanta Fire officials said construction crews accidentally hit the gas line with a boring machine, creating difficulty searching for the break under the concrete.

People stayed at local restaurants until they could be allowed back inside.

"I can't get back in, and I might as well sit at the pizza place next door and relax and have a glass of wine," said one woman, who was kept out of her home after the street was shut down.

Crews worked to fix the problem before the Thursday morning commute.