PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- Firefighters evacuated neighbors and a business near 1077 Main St. after neighbor's reported smelling gas coming from the empty building, according to the fire chief.
Chief William Sisson said that vandals had broken into the house and cut the gas pipe and took the meter, releasing gas throughout the house.
A neighbor passing by the house smelled the gas and called National Grid which called the Fire Department, according to Battalion Chief Joseph Murray.
Murray said that the house was filled with high levels of gas and firefighters evacuated people from nearby houses and a business with about 60 people in it as a precaution.
They also had to check nearby houses to make sure the gas had not seeped into their basements.