Columbia police and fire joined city utility crews and Ameren at the scene of a small gas line break reported outside Immaculate Conception Church at 411 Palmer Road in Columbia shortly after 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Volunteers were starting construction of a retaining wall on the hill outside the south end of the new church when a backhoe apparently struck a two-inch gas line, a fire official said. Fortunately, the gas was shut off to the church immediately.

No injuries were reported in the incident.