Some Arcadia residents told to evacuate after contractor hits gas main

ARCADIA, Ind. (WISH) — The Jackson Township Fire Department issued an urgent evacuation order just before 8 p.m. Tuesday after a gas main strike in the northern Hamilton County town of Arcadia.

Arcadia Police Department said an independent contractor doing fiber work in the town struck a large gas main. A fix to the issue could take up to six hours or more to correct.

Alerts were sent to the area, asking residents within a quarter-mile of West East Street and Howard Avenue to evacuate the area until the issues were corrected and it’s safe to return home.

The Arcadia Town Hall was opened for residents to come and stay, and obtain updates, the Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency said.

Arcadia has about 1,400 residents, according to STATS Indiana.

The fire department said the evacuation zone is defined by Olive Street to the west and State Road 19 to the east. The northern boundary is 266th Street, while South Rollins Street marks the southern limit of the affected area. Officials were directing people within that area to move away from the intersection of East and Howard streets immediately.

Jackson Township Fire Department officials said they will issue an all-clear message on social media once the area is safe for residents to return.