STRONG - A section of Route 61 between the Strong Connector and the Midvalley intersection in Mount Carmel Township was closed for more than an hour Saturday afternoon because of a natural gas leak near Cole's Hardware Store.
Emergency responders and fire police from several communities were dispatched to the area after the leak was reported at about 3 p.m. It reopened about 4:25 p.m.
Traffic was detoured using several back streets in Atlas until UGI responded to correct the problem.
In light of the recent deadly explosion caused by a gas leak in the Allentown area, officials didn't want to take any unnecessary risks.
Emergency vehicles and crews staged at the FNB parking lot at Routes 61 and 54.