Two University of Iowa buildings reopen after gas leak

The University of Iowa's Biology Building East and Van Allen Hall were evacuated for about an hour Friday morning when a private contract worker accidentally pierced a natural gas line between the buildings.

No one was injured in the incident, and occupants of the evacuated buildings were able to move temporarily into the Biology Building across Dubuque Street. The buildings were reopened just after 9 a.m.

Construction crews were digging in the ground as part of an electrical service upgrade project for Van Allen Hall when a worker detected the gas, which among other things feeds Bunsen burners used in biology labs. Natural gas service to Biology Building East and possibly portions of Van Allen Hall will be unavailable until repairs are made and the gas line is re-tested.

UI and Iowa City police, UI Facilities Management, the Iowa City Fire Department and MidAmerican Energy assisted on the scene.