BARNESVILLE — Close to 100 people were evacuated from surrounding businesses, apartments and community centers when a gas leak was detected in the area of North Chestnut Street, where demolition work on three village-owned buildings was underway. Barnesville Police Department confirmed a gas leak was detected at around 6 p.m.

Businesses and apartments in that block and the next were evacuated, and North Chestnut Street was shut down between West Church Street and the main square. West Main Street was closed from the square to North Broadway Street. The evacuation occurred after normal business hours and Blue Moon Tavern and Home Pizza were impacted, along with the Elks Lodge and the Barnesville Exempted Village School District junior high gym.

Fire Chief Tim Hall said the gas line was to have been shut off. Officials from Columbia Gas had arrived on scene by about 7:30 pm. and had shut off the gas by 8 p.m. Normal business resumed. Hall said the evacuation was a safety precaution and was conducted in good order.