A gas line break forced the closure of a portion of Louisiana 86 — Loreauville Road — Monday afternoon between Louisiana 3145 and Loren Road.

The gas line rupture occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m. while work was being done to install sewer lines. The Iberia Parish Fire Protection District No. 1 arrived on the scene, and, after determining there was escaping gas, closed the roadway to through traffic.

A crew was installing a sewer line at the site for Centerpoint Energy.

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Chief Guy Bonin directed the firefighters while repairs were under way, and Deputy Marcina Collins of the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office arrived to close the highway and divert traffic.

“They were doing some work on a line and ended up having what looked like, a plugged gas line,” Bonin said. “They were pulling up a line that was actually plugged out of the feeder line that crossed the highway.”

All work ceased as the break was reported, allowing emergency responders time to arrive and secure the area. Once traffic was diverted repairs began.

“They had to get down in there to dig it out so they could pinch it off,” Bonin said. “Centerpoint Energy got out there and was able to get it done.”

Collins said that while the road closure was requested, no nearby evacuations, including Belle Place Middle School, were ordered.

The road reopened at approximately 4:30 p.m. with no problems due to the gas leak. Units responding were from Iberia Parish Fire Department District Station 100 as well as from Belaire-Olivier-Morbihan Station 200.

Centerpoint Energy subcontracted the sewer line installation according to a representative of the Iberia Parish sewerage office. No representative of Centerpoint Energy returned calls by presstime this morning.