ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. - UPDATE: As of 4 a.m., the incident has been cleared and the road has reopened.
An immediate evacuation is declared by the Pa Emergency Management Agency for Adams County Department of Emergency Services, in portions of Hamilton Township, Adams County due to a natural gas leak on Route 94. The leak was caused when the driver of a white pickup truck backed up and hit a gas regulator at the Columbia Gas Distribution station around 6:30PM along the 3300 block of Route 94(Carlisle Pike).
That truck driver stayed on scene and was shaken up but cooperating with Pennsylvania State Police who are here investigating how this happened.
No one has been injured or treated for exposure to the gas.
40 responders from 8 fire companies responded from Adams and York County.
But they are here primarily though as oversight for repair crews.
Residents within a half mile of the intersection of Carlisle Pike and York Road and Carlisle Pike and Forest Drive should evacuate. Motorists and pedestrians should avoid unnecessary travel within the perimeter of that area.
Within the half mile range 25 homes needed to be evacuated. About a half dozen people are in need of overnight shelter.
Russell McCutcheon of the Gettysburg Fire Dept. said, "At this point we're leaving this in the capable hands of Columbia Gas and letting them and their repair crews take the lead in making sure that we mitigate this safely."
A temporary shelter has been established at the United Hook and Ladder, 21 N Bolton Street, New Oxford. Those residents needing assistance should call 911 or (717) 334-8101.
Carlisle Pike is expected to re-open between midnight and 4AM.