Gas Main Leak Shuts Down East Meadow Avenue

East Meadow was shut down at around 1 p.m. Wednesday after a construction crew struck a gas main behind the former Crystalbrook property, according to officials.

"They were going to build a new retaining wall behind the new buildings that are going up," Assistant Fire Chief Walter Griffin said. "As they were digging, they clipped the gas main to the house."

Eight homes were evacuated between Stuyvesant Avenue and Adelaide Court, Griffin said.

"It was just precautionary," Griffin added. "Now, we’re taking readings of all the houses to make sure the gas didn’t settle."

Nobody was injured, and the power was shut down. A National Grid spokesperson said that one home currently has no gas, and "we're hoping to get it fixed by tonight."

"A contractor hit a line, and it was made safe by 1:40 p.m," she said. "We’re making the repair right now."

Traffic was blocked on East Meadow Avenue between Stuyvesant Avenue and Adelaide Court while the scene was contained. Motorists were rerouted onto nearby side streets.

"Thankfully, this was taken care of before it got out of control," Griffin added.

This is a breaking news story, and Patch will provide more information as it's made available.