Photos by Rick Racela

NORTH CAPE MAY – About 3:30 p.m. on April 3, workers inadvertently punctured a natural gas line at 89 Breakwater Place, which resulted in the evacuation of about 20 adjacent homes.

Residents returning home were denied entry.

Lower Township police, rescue and firefighters were dispatched to the scene. One person suffered from shortness of breath and was assisted by rescue workers.

A crew from South Jersey Gas was dispatched, and was heading to the scene, slated to arrive about 4 p.m.

The gas line was secured at 4:23 p.m. and residents were allowed to return to their homes.