Firefighters worked to repair an underground gas leak early Friday on Animas View Drive, a heavily traveled residential road in north Durango, south of the Iron Horse Inn.

Four houses in the immediate vicinity needed to be evacuated, but only three were occupied, said Fire Marshal Karola Hanks, with Durango Fire & Rescue Authority.

The 600 block of Animas View Drive was closed during the morning commute, forcing residents north of the closure to use the north entrance to U.S. Highway 550 if they wanted to go to town, Hanks said.

The leak was reported about 5 a.m. Firefighters cleared the scene and reopened the road shortly before 2 p.m., Hanks said.

The cause of the leak remained under investigation Friday night.

Workers used above-ground piping to allow gas to continue flowing to homes and businesses north of the rupture point while repairs were made.

shane@durangoherald.com