UPDATE 6:19 p.m.

A handful of homes were evacuated as a safety precaution this afternoon after a gas line sprung a leak near the inter-section of Alkali Creek and Airport roads.

Billings Fire Department Captain Perry McKinney said two engine crews responded to the call, which was reported shortly after 1:30 p.m., near where construction crews have been working on the intersection. It appeared to be near a large retaining wall where a new road north of the BootHill Inn, at 242 E. Airport Road, is being constructed, McKinney said.

The homes are on the north side of Airport Road across the street from the Boothill Inn. McKinney said firefighters remained on standby at the scene for about an hour until a Montana-Dakota Utilities crew shut the gas off.

As of 5:30 p.m., MDU officials could not be reached for more information.

A gas line was ruptured on the Airport Road construction project east of the Alkali Creed Road intersection.

Updates to come.