Several uptown Saint John buildings had to be evacuated Tuesday afternoon following a natural gas leak.

Fire crews were called to the area of 50 Water Street, between King Street and Princess Street, shortly before noon.

Platoon Chief Al McLeod said an excavator working on a construction project in the area punctured a line.

“We weren’t sure of what size line it was, however, there was natural gas leaking into the atmosphere,” McLeod said in an interview.

McLeod said crews evacuated several buildings along Water and Prince William streets between King and Princess.

While the evacuation was underway, crews from Liberty Utilities arrived at the scene to pinch the line, he said.

McLeod said people were allowed to return to their homes and businesses once fire crews did a final sweep.

“We checked the apartments, checked all the businesses to make sure there was no lingering effects from the natural gas inside them,” he added.

Saint John Energy briefly shut off power in the area until the leak could be stopped. All customers have since had their power restored.

McLeod said Water Street will remain closed until crews repair the natural gas line, which is expected to take until late Tuesday afternoon.