CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A ruptured gas line prompted several homes to evacuate in Chesterfield County's Midlothian area on Thursday, with authorities asking residents to avoid the area. According to Chesterfield County Fire and EMS, firefighters were on the scene of a gas leak at the int ersection of Watch Hill and Walton Park roads the afternoon of Thursday, Sept. 3. Crews hit the line while doing construction in the area, fire officials said. Seven houses were evacuated as a precaution as of the time of reporting. Following the incident, a Columbia Gas of Virginia spokesperson said in a statement shared with 8News that the natural gas line was damaged by a third-party contractor. Scene of active gas leak at the intersection of Watch Hill and Walton Park roads in Chesterfield County on Sept. 3. (Photo: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS)Scene of active gas leak at the intersection of Watch Hill and Walton Park roads in Chesterfield County on Sept. 3. (Photo: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS)Scene of active gas leak at the intersection of Watch Hill and Walton Park roads in Chesterfield County on Sept. 3. (Photo: Chesterfield County Fire and EMS) Crews, including those from Columbia Gas, contained the leak, though Walton Park Road remains closed from Glenmeadow Road to Watch Hill Road as crews continue to make repairs. Columbia Gas urged drivers to keep a safe distance between vehicles, slow down and obey flaggers and posted signs in the area. ...read more read less