News Photo by Julie Riddle An open manhole cover allows fumes to dissipate near a gas leak in Alpena on Tuesday.

ALPENA — Alpena Fire Department firefighter/paramedics closed portions of roads surrounding the intersection of Lockwood Street and 7th Avenue in Alpena to monitor a gas leak early Tuesday afternoon.

A pedestrian who reported smelling gas alerted fire officials to the leak, Alpena Fire Chief Bill Forbush said.

Workers from DTE discovered high readings indicating a gas leak under grass alongside the road. The leak did not impact surrounding homes and did not reach dangerous levels, Forbush said.

The fire department blocked off the area to make sure no ignition sources neared the gas as workers dug up and repaired the leaking gas line.

Opened manhole covers near the leak allowed fresh air into the storm sewer to dilute the gas, Forbush said.