Piedmont Natural Gas secured the leak, town officials said just before 1 p.m.
According to the Lenoir County Emergency Services, just before 9 a.m., a construction crew hit a 2-inch natural gas main which created the leak.
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Kinston Fire Department crews have checked and confirmed that there are no residual hazardous gas levels in the affected buildings.
The evacuation order has been lifted and residents have been allowed to return home.
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Piedmont Natural Gas workers will remain at the site the rest of the afternoon to complete repairs, officials said.