Two businesses in Monticello were evacuated as a precautionary measure this morning after workers struck a small natural gas line while clearing land on Hwy. 27.

Monticello Police Chief David Stanley said the Chevron gas station and convenience store and Liberty Inn were evacuated shortly before 9:30 a.m. after workers hit the gas line near Hwy. 27 just south of Hwy. 184. The area was evacuated for about two hours.

Stanley said Hwy. 27 was also closed from Hwy. 184 to Jolly Drive during that time.

Crews from CenterPoint Energy arrived on scene and shut the gas off, he said.

No injuries were reported.