UDPATE: According to Massachusetts State Police the repairs have been completed and the road is now open.

HATFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A gas leak has caused the closing of a section of Route 5 in Hatfield through Thursday night.

Hatfield Police said that West Street will be closed from Linseed Road to Chestnut Street while crews repair a gas leak. Berkshire Gas is asking residents to stay away from the area of 37 West Street. Six homes had to be evacuated, 200 people are without power, and dozens of others are without gas service. At this time no injuries have been reported.

The leak has been located but Berkshire Gas says it could be anywhere between 8 and 20 hours, which will severely impacted the people that live and work on this road.

“It’s just spewing gas out, nobody can go there. Refrigeration, electric has been shut off so we had to cancel all of the reservations for tonight,” said Susan Berry, a nearby restaurant owner. “We’re supposed to be open again tomorrow and now we are hearing that we may not be able to get into the building tomorrow either.”

Christopher Farrell, Manager, Communications and Government Relations for Berkshire Gas told 22News that a non-gas company contractor was working adjacent to the gas line and struck a main gas line on West Street in Hatfield around noon Thursday.. The contractor had the required dig safe notifications.

Farrell says that crews have discovered the repair is non-hazardous, but extensive. State Police said the closure of Route 5 could last into Friday.

“As far as a safety factor we are doing pretty well in this immediate area like I said as long as you can see the gas tank coming out of the ground it’s actually a good thing at this point because you can track where it is,” said Hatfield Fire Chief Robert Flaherty.

Eversource spokesperson Priscilla Ress told 22News that Eversource has cut off power West Street as a safety precaution, with more than 200 customers currently without power. They expect to restore the electricity as soon as they get approval from Berkshire Gas. 

Customers are reminded to call Berkshire Gas at 800-292-5012 to report gas leaks or if you smell gas. If there’s an immediate danger, call 911.