Repairs to a ruptured natural gas line near the Tanner intersection may stretch into the night, an official said today. Athens Fire Chief Bryan Thornton said a contractor struck a 6-inch gas line owned by American Midstream about 9:34 a.m. The ensuing gas leak — which is now shut off — prompted emergency workers to evacuate homes in the area of Pitts Boulevard and U.S. 31. The line rupture occurred in field southeast of the intersection of U.S. 31 and Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road, roughly behind Wingzilla. Gas was not burning but was free-flowing, Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson said at 10:50 a.m.