Gas leak stopped in Tampa

TAMPA -- About 28 firefighters responded to the scene of a natural gas leak in Tampa this afternoon.

They found a 4-inch gas line damaged and leaking at 15th Avenue and 17th Street just after 4 p.m. Six nearby houses were evacuated, but no one was injured, Tampa Fire Rescue reported.

Peoples Gas shut off the gas flow, and residents were allowed to return to their homes. Investigators found that LS Curb Service, Inc., of Plant City had been installing an underground vault for Verizon when the gas line was damaged.

-- Jessica Vander Velde, Times Staff Writer