The Van Wert Fire Department responded to a severed gas line at 707 Fox Road at 12:54 pm Wednesday afternoon.

Upon arrival a small excavator had struck an unmarked gas line in the area they were digging.  The gas line shut off valve was located and turned off.

The contractors stated the area to be excavated had been marked and cleared by the utilities locating service before work began.

A gas company official arrived on the scene and the fire department returned to the fire station. They were on the scene about 1 hour.

The Van Wert Police were on the scene for a short period of time.

Bob Barnes VWFD photographer