Gas leak prompts evacuation of downtown Buffalo building

National Fuel and the Buffalo Fire Department responded to a gas leak at 168 Franklin St. at 6:30 a.m. and shut off gas to the building at 7:06 a.m.

The nearby area was briefly evacuated, causing traffic problems in the city center. The nearby Buffalo Academy Charter School of Science canceled classes for the day, according to a news release from National Fuel.

The leak was caused by a damaged natural gas valve inside the building on customer-owned piping, according to National Fuel. The building was cleared of gas readings at 8:40 a.m. and traffic reopened at 9:15 a.m., according to the utility.