A rupture in a natural gas line that forced people to leave nearly 20 McKeesport residences has been repaired.

Equitable Gas Co. said repairs were completed around 4 p.m. and authorities were informing people they could return to their homes.

Crews were dispatched just after 11 a.m. to shut off service in the vicinity of Brownlee and McCleary streets, company spokesman Dave Spigelmyer said.

Police ordered evacuations of two multi-unit apartment buildings in Crawford Village and six houses, including three each on McCleary and Brownlee streets, Assistant Chief Alfred Tedesco said.

The residences were evacuated as a precaution. No gas had been detected in any of those residences, Mr. Spigelmyer said.

The 16-inch service line carries gas with less than 20 pounds of pressure.

"There was work going on in the area, but we don't know exactly what happened, yet," Mr. Spigelmyer said.

Chief Tedesco said a subcontractor had been making way for Equitable crews to replace a line when the main pipe was ruptured.

An afternoon rain storm delayed the repair, and the evacuation order had to be extended, police said.

No injuries have been reported.