Residents are being allowed to return to their homes after a contractor struck a gas main near a former paper factory in New Jersey Thursday afternoon, causing a break, officials and the company said.
Police say buildings a block south and three blocks north of the old Marcal paper plant on Market Street near River Road in Elmwood Park were under the mandatory evacuation order after the noon break.
The contractor that caused the break was working for Soundview Paper, which manufactures the Marcal brand of tissue products. In a statement, Mark Vertucci, director of engineering for Soundview, said the PSE&G pipeline the contractor hit was unmarked and the leak was minor.
"Soundview security responded immediately, notifying local police, fire officials and PSE&G," Vertucci said. "The leak has been capped. No one was injured and no property was damaged."
A shelter was set up at a recreation center on Boulevard Street to assist displaced residents and workers during the brief evacuation.
