Contractors working for UGI accidentally struck a natural gas pipe, causing a leak that prompted the brief evacuation of a day care center, officials said.

The mishap occurred shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday at South 2nd and Ferry streets in Easton, said Dan Adamo, a spokesman for Reading-based UGI

The crew was working to replace UGI's cast iron pipes in the area when it accidentally struck a maintenance fitting on one of the pipes, causing the gas to leak, Adamo said.

A day care center at 100 S. 3rd St. was briefly evacuated as a precaution until the crew could shut down the line, Adamo said.

Four customers in the area were without gas service until repairs could be made.