Gas Leak Concern Forces Austin Building Evacuation

AUSTIN, Minn. (AP) - Austin's Main Street has reopened after part of the street was shut down because of a potential gas leak.

Police cordoned off a portion of Main Street in front of the building that houses the Coffeehouse on Main around 8:15 a.m. Monday after someone complained of a natural gas smell.

The building was evacuated as a precaution.

Fire Chief Mickey Healey investigated to make sure there wasn't a buildup of natural gas in the building, which could cause an explosion.

The Austin Daily Herald reports the building and that section of Main Street were both open again by 9:15 a.m. after Healey determined the building was safe.

Healey says a buildup of snow and ice in the ventilation system had caused natural gas to bounce back into the building.

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