Some Temple residents were evacuated from their homes Thursday morning after construction workers broke through a six-inch gas line at Downs and Sixth Street

The Temple Fire and Rescue was on the scene, as was Oncor.

People living one block north and one block south of Sixth Street and Downs to Martin Luther King Drive are being asked to leave, said Thomas Pechal, Temple Fire and Rescue spokesman. If the residents choose not to evacuate they are being told not to turn on any electricity.

Occupants of the two homes closest to the break are required to leave, he said.

About 20 people are affected by the break.

A temporary shelter has been set up the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center.

How long it will take to repair the gas line is unknown, Pechal said.