A potentially explosive gas leak in the basement of the 76 year old Pine Tavern closed the restaurant and several other businesses for a short time Friday evening.

Andy Hood with Bend Fire reports around 5:45 p.m., the Pine Tavern staff smelled a strong odor of gas and immediately called 9-1-1 and evacuated the building and surrounding areas.

The gas and electricity was turned off to adjacent businesses while crews from Cascade Natural Gas made the repairs.

According to the report, a water pipe in the basement had developed a leak and water extinguished the operating flame and pilot light on the water heater, along with automatic valves failing, allowing unburned gas to escape in the basement area.

No one was hurt and power and gas was restored to the area by 7:30 p.m.