WESTPORT — Downtown traffic was disrupted Wednesday morning while firefighters were dispatched to the scene of a ruptured gas line.

Many downtown businesses also were evacuated as a precaution.

Adding to the day’s traffic problems in the downtown area was a report at 11:45 a.m. that Jesup Road was closed to traffic after utility wires came down near 45 Jesup Road.

In the alert an hour earlier about the gas leak, drivers were advised that traffic was banned from Main Street, from Post Road East to Avery Place, and on Elm Street, from Main Street to Church Street.

Main Street reopened to traffic about 2:30 p.m., but the stretch of Elm Street from Main Street to 33 Elm St. remained closed as repairs to the gas line continued.

The gas leak was reported shortly after 10 a.m. by contractors working in the building at 136 Main St., fire officials reported Wednesday afternoon.

That building and others nearby were evacuated and all on-duty Westport firefighters were dispatched to the scene.

Crews from Southern Connecticut Gas Co. also were called to the scene, but according to fire officials, initially were unable to find the gas shut-off. With assistance from the town’s Department of Public Works, the shut off was located and officials deemed conditions safe for people to return to businesses by early afternoon, according to the fire report.

Fairfield and Norwalk fire units provided backup coverage for the town while Westport firefighters were on the scene downtown. The mutual-aid crews responded to three emergencies while on duty in Westport.