The Regional Communications Center received a 911 call at 5:12 a.m.on Friday, January 5, about a natural gas leak at the intersection of Scotsville Street and Luddington Drive in Columbia, Sheriff Darryl Liverman reported.

The Tyrrell County Sheriff’s Office, Tyrrell Volunteer Fire Department and Washington-Tyrrell EMS responded.

Fifteen residents near the leak voluntarily evacuated to Zion Grove Church on South Road Street. Three of the residents were transported to the church by EMS.

Piedmont Natural gas personnel responded and repaired the leak, first responders cleared the scene at 9:20 a.m., and the residents were allowed to return to their residences.

The ground in Columbia was covered in snow, and the outside air temperature was below 20 degrees.