Altamont Residents Sent Home Following Gas Leak Tuesday Afternoon

Altamont residents were allowed to return to their homes and businesses about 5pm following a gas leak Tuesday afternoon.

A company installing fiber optic cable struck a gas line just before 3 pm. The area evacuated extended from Edwards Street on the east, Division on the north, Main Street on the west, and Grant Street on the South. Initially, the area as far west as 4th Street was included in the evacuation order, but was later reduced to Main Street.

The Effingham County Sheriff's Department is reporting that if occupants smell gas when they return to their home or business to contact their natural gas provider.