Emergency crews descended on a New Jersey neighborhood after an SUV crashed into a gas line, sparking a leak that has led to evacuations, police said.
The driver of the SUV fled the scene after hitting the natural gas stanchion at Ratzer and Kievit roads in Wayne around 8:30 p.m. Sunday, according to police.
The crash ruptured a line and a 500-to-600-feet perimeter was set up and cleared by officials. Multiple homes had to be evacuated, police said.
PSE&G confirmed that a stanchion was ruptured by a vehicle. Workers for the utility company shut off the gas and people were allowed to return to their homes around 10:30 p.m.
No injuries have been reported, however, one woman told NBC 4 New York that the smell was so strong she got dizzy when she left her home. A mass casualty management bus was on site as a precaution.
Authorities are looking for a white SUV with the word “Ramapo” in green lettering on its side, according to police, who said the vehicle was last seen traveling south on Valley Road towards Route 46.
Crews roped off a regulator vent pole and left the scene. They will return Monday morning to completely fix it.
