Contractors digging for fence posts near the EMS station on Childs Drive severed the line at about 4:30 p. m., police said.

As a result, homes on Satok Crescent and Childs Drive were evacuated, with residents sheltered for a couple of hours at the nearby police station as well as Milton Mall and Allendale long-term care facility.

The area was blocked off to traffic as fire, police, EMS and gas crews dealt with the situation.

“It was a great multi-agency team effort,” said Fire Prevention Insp. Steve Ellis of the Milton Fire Department.

Emergency workers also responded to the area of Thompson Road and Laurier Avenue after the smell of gas was reported. It was found to be from the same incident.

Ellis said one or two seniors required medical attention after finding the walk from their homes to a safe area exhausting, but there were no injuries as a result of the natural gas.

The hydro valve was turned off and residents returned home at about 6:30 p. m.

“Once homes were cleared by the fire department, they were allowed to go back,” said Det. Sgt. Murray Drinkwalter of Halton Regional Police.

Stephanie Hounsell can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadianchampion.com .