First responders closed Richard Avenue for nearly an hour Saturday and at least two apartments were evacuated after the Vigilant Hose Co. received reports of a gas leak in the area.

Firefighters investigated the report and did not find any leaks, according to Ken Nehf Jr., deputy chief of the fire company.

“We checked the houses and found nothing,” he said. “They were all clear.”

Nehf said the company responsible for the gas lines was going to be contacted to investigate further. The odor of gas was present in the street, but not in the houses, according to Nehf.

Shippensburg University student Clint Leslie said he smelled gas in the area around his residence at approximately 11 p.m. Leslie, who lives at 52 Richard Ave., reported the odor to an employee of Vigilance Security Inc., a company hired to provide security for students on Richard Avenue.

The employee contacted the Vigilant Hose Fire Co., which sent firefighters to the area to investigate. Leslie said he told his friends and roommates to leave the house, but he also checked on his neighbor who shared the building in the apartment next door.

“I smelled so much gas,” Leslie said, adding that he was concerned about his 82-year-old neighbor.

Maurita Thomas of 50 Richard Ave. said she did not smell the gas, and was informed about it by Leslie. She said he helped her out of her house and walked her across the street.

“They were good to me,” Thomas said, referring to Leslie and her other neighbors who helped her. She said Leslie and his roommates often help Thomas with chores such as shoveling her vehicle out or moving things for her.

If she ever has a problem with something she will come inside Leslie’s apartment and talk with him and his roommates, according to Leslie.

Leslie said he thinks the gas was shut off and they will probably not have heat until the gas company checks the lines. The two said they were fortunate the weather was as warm as it was.

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