An area west of Drake University was blocked off for a short time this (Monday) morning due to a gas main break.
The Des Moines Fire Department says the break happened at the Alpha Phi sorority at 1240 34th Street around 8:45 a.m.
Construction crews replacing concrete steps hit a two-inch natural gas main. An area near University and 34th was barricaded for about half an hour while crews from MidAmerican Energy made repairs.
A few nearby buildings were evacuated as a safety precaution.
Tony Talazko tells WHO Radio News he and several others are renting rooms in the house this summer. He says he was sleeping when his roommate pounded on his bedroom door. "I thought my buddy was just messing with me until all of a sudden, there were fire fighters, not a joke at all," said Talatzko.