UPDATE 7:52 a.m. (3/16/23) — According to the Lebanon Fire Department, the gas leak has been repaired and residents are cleared to return to their homes.

UPDATE 9:52 p.m. — While Summit Natural Gas works to repair a gas leak, the Lebanon Fire Department is encouraging residents to prepare for an extended evacuation.

Residents needing a safe place to stay can go to the Wallace Building. In an update to their original Facebook post, LFD states the building will be open for at least two more hours, or until the leak is repaired.

LFD says Washington Avenue is closed between Hayes and Commercial Streets and both Bland Avenue and Spiller Street are closed.

Original story:

LEBANON, Mo. — The Lebanon Fire Department is asking residents in part of the town to evacuate while it investigates a possible natural gas leak.

A Facebook post from the department says the area affected is along Washington Avenue between Bland Avenue and Spiller Street.

Emergency personnel is on scene with staff from Summit Natural Gas.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.