UPDATE: Opelousas Evangeline Downs Casino set to re-open at 11 p.m. Tuesday following evacuation
UPDATE: The Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino in Opelousas has been officially cleared to reopen by CenterPoint Energy.
In a social media post, casino staff said they were preparing for the return of guests and expect to be able to reopen the gates to the boulevard and the casino by 11pm.
Earlier today, a breach in a natural-gas line near the casino prompted an immediate evacuation.
It happened just after 4 p.m. in a nearby field, Fire Chief Charles Mason said.
In addition to the casino evacuation, several roads were closed in the immediate area while crews worked to shut off and then restore the power line.
No injuries were reported.
State Police, Opelousas City Police and the Opelousas Fire Department were all on scene.