Construction workers struck a gas line in front of campus Tuesday, causing Beauregard and Picciola Halls to be evacuated for nearly an hour. Michael Delaune, director of university relations, said workers were in the process of an electrical upgrade when the line was struck. The construction work is similar to that behind Bollinger Memorial Student Union.

“We requested University Police, the city police, fire and utility trucks,” he said. “The leak lasted most of the hour.

“It was inadvertent; they were working, a line was hit, and it burst the line.”

All gas supplied to the University was shut off. “I’m not really sure what areas of campus receive gas, but I know some boilers had to be relit. We did make an effort to notify people to prepare them,” Delaune said.

He said the biggest challenge was isolating the particular line which was struck.

“Everything that needed to be was accomplished,” he said. “I applaud the role of students, faculty and staff for cooperating and being understanding. This was an inconvenience, but not much could have been done to prevent it.”