Whitney Downard / The Meridian Star A portion of Front Street in Meridian is closed as authorities investigate a gas leak at the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience. 

Firefighters temporarily closed parts of Front Street near the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience after construction workers ruptured a natural gas line, according to Doug Stephens, the director of Public Safety and Training in Meridian.

Stephens said firefighters responded to the call around 2:15 p.m. and evacuated the building after detecting gas inside the building. Atmos Energy arrived to close off the line and construction resumed around 3:15p.m.

“Natural gas can be dangerous and we were fortunate that there was no ignition source nearby,” Stephens said.