Downtown Binghamton Gas Line Ruptured

A report of a broken natural gas line at a downtown Binghamton construction project closed the Courthouse Square area Thursday.

The trouble occurred shortly after 11 a.m. at the former Midtown Mall complex at Court and Chenango streets.

Buildings close to the scene were evacuated as a precaution. Sections of Court and Chenango streets were closed to pedestrians and vehicular traffic.

Reports from the scene indicated an active gas line may have been cut by a worker.

Fire and police units secured the area. NYSEG natural gas crews were called to assist.

A group of construction workers who had been at the site of the future University Lofts student housing project gathered on State Street to be briefed by a supervisor.

Most of those workers were sent home for the day.