A gas leak in Cornelius that led to road closures and a stay-in-place order Tuesday afternoon was contained within hours, authorities said.
According to the Huntersville Fire Department, the leak occurred when a 12-inch natural gas line was cut by workers at a construction site.
Cornelius law enforcement reported the major gas leak near West Catawba Avenue and Westmoreland Road at about 2 p.m., and roads were closed.
Via a mobile alert, the Cornelius Fire Department advised those within a half mile of 8430 Westmoreland Road to avoid the area and shelter in place until the leak was contained.
Residents in the area took to social media to say that the leak sounded similar to a jet engine.
"This is a large [gas] line & the 'roaring' noise you hear is the gas escaping the broken line," the Huntersville Fire Department tweeted at 3:13 p.m.
Roughly an hour later, Cornelius Police reported that Westmoreland Road at Statesville Road was re-opened, but Westmoreland Road remained closed between the intersection of Amberwood Glen Drive and Lake Pines Drive to West Catawba Avenue.
Shortly thereafter, Cornelius police tweeted the leak was contained and all roads were open for normal travel.
No injuries were reported.
