Students had to be evacuated from Mankato East High School after a crew planting trees struck an 8-inch gas line behind the school.

The school was evacuated about 2:15 p.m. Wednesday while CenterPoint Energy crews worked to cap the line and Mankato
firefighters maintained a perimeter. Reports indicate that the line was larger than most lines, so there was concern about the amount of gas escaping and whether winds would blow it into nearby neighborhoods.

CenterPoint says gas was allowed to go safely into the atmosphere until Wednesday night so crews could complete repairs. More than 200 customers are expected to be without gas service through the night.
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