UPDATE: Natural Gas Leak Closes Chain Bridge Road, Splits Manhole Cover in Two (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

UPDATE (3:08 p.m.) Initial gas company reports said the leak was from a 6- to 8-inch transmission line in an underground vault on Orchard Street. Workers were able to shut down the line, said Andy Vita, assistant fire chief for Fairfax City.

Workers believe the leak came from the line's separation at a coupling, but the exact cause is unknown. They do not predict any significant street or sidewalk digging, Vita said.

(2:12 p.m.) Click the video thumbnail to see and hear the gas leak in action.

(2:10 p.m.): Chain Bridge Road is now open to traffic. 

(1:58 p.m.): The gas leak came from a six-to 12-inch main. Photos added.

(1:25 p.m.): Danielle Eison Bencivenga was turning left from Chain Bridge Road to Fairfax Boulevard when she heard an explosion.

"Very loud and a pretty immediate gas smell. It was right around noon, as I was on my way to pick up my kids from a nearby preschool. After getting my kids, the gas smell was very strong, even within the preschool. We went through Fairfax City to get home and avoid the area."

(1:17 p.m.): Click here to see live traffic camera footage at Chain Bridge Road and Fairfax Boulevard. 

(12:49 p.m.): A natural gas line of undetermined size blew open a manhole cover at Orchard Street and Chain Bridge Road shortly before 12:30 p.m. today. 

"You can see and hear the gas from across the street," said Fire Chief Dave Rohr.

So far firefighters have evacuated the Shell station at that intersection and Bombay Bistro. They've told those in Fuddruckers and an office building behind the Shell station to stay indoors and prepare for evacuation if needed. 

A natural gas company work crew is on the way. Rohr says their ETA is about 25 minutes.

Chain Bridge Road between Route 50 and Eaton will remain closed until the work crew can determine the size of the leak and start fixing it. 

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A natural gas leak at Chain bridge Shell station has closed Chain Bridge Road between Route 50 and Eaton Place. 

Fairfax City Fire is on the scene, according to an emergency alert posted by Fairfax City. The alert urges motorists to try another route. 

Expect traffic delays.

Check back for more information as it becomes available.