Jamestown firefighters and National Fuel crews are pictured Monday morning on Willard Street. A gas supply line was accidentally ruptured by a contractor using an excavator. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

A few homes were evacuated as a precaution Monday after an excavator accidentally struck a gas line in front of a Willard Street home in Jamestown. No injuries were reported in the morning mishap.

Keith Olson, Jamestown Fire battalion chief, said the gas supply line was ruptured after 11 a.m. by a private contractor working at the property. A portion of Willard near the 300 block was closed to vehicle traffic as a steady stream of natural gas flowed from the line and into the air.

Crews with National Fuel responded and had the gas leak contained in about 15 minutes.

Olson said homes on both sides of the property where the rupture occurred were cleared out of an abundance of caution.

Officers with the Jamestown Police Department also responded Monday. Crews began clearing the scene by 12:15 p.m.