The City of Turlock is reporting that mismarked underground utilities caused a contractor to hit a gas line, causing the large gas leak last week.

The natural gas leak was reported at approximately 9:38 a.m. on Wednesday near the intersection of E. Main Street and Canal Drive after a contractor replacing the water line hit a gas line.

While the City of Turlock and PG&E are investigating the incident, early indications from the City was that the contractor was not as fault, as the gas line had been mismarked by the utility company.

PG&E, Turlock Fire, Police, and Turlock Irrigation District crews responded to the scene to assist with repair. PG&E was finally able to cap the gas line around 1 p.m. that same day.

The leak was from a high pressure 2-inch gas line. PG&E had to dig up and crimp the adjacent 4-inch line to stop the leak, said the Turlock Fire Department.

While the gas line was under repair, residents within a four-block radius were asked to shelter themselves inside their homes with the windows closed and AC units off. Emergency services also notified the area businesses of the leak.

“Our public safety staff responded quickly to this event, making sure the surrounding neighborhood remained safe," said Mayor Gary Soiseth. “We are fortunate to have such a great team in place when incidents such as this arise.”