EAST LIVERPOOL — Valley Oaks Care Center, 500 Selfridge St., East Liverpool, had to evacuate patients Thursday morning after construction crews working outside struck a gas line resulting in a gas leak.

The East Liverpool Fire Department responded to the center at 11:44 a.m. Upon entering the building to check it out firefighters detected gas inside and began evacuation procedures. Many of the patients who were mobile or not in need of constant care were evacuated to a gravel area across the parking lot.

According to Lt. Shawn Fiffick, there were five patients in need of constant care who were transported by ambulance to East Liverpool City Hospital. He noted none of the patients were affected by the gas, and transport to the hospital was done solely for precautionary measures because of the constant care the patients needed.

Fiffick said the department called Columbia Gas, which arrived quickly and was able to get the matter under control.

He also said the construction crew did everything they were supposed to do in regard to calling before they did and knowing where the Columbia Gas lines were and that it was a line after the meter that belonged to the building and not Columbia gas that was struck and the workers were unaware that line was there.

Mutual aid for transport was provided by North Star Critical Care and Lifeteam with Liverpool Township Volunteer Fire Department on scene to provide extra hands with evacuating patients.

WestPoint and Calcutta volunteer Fire Departments along with Hancock County were on standby.