Police say a propane leak that prompted the evacuations of more than 200 north Georgia residents happened after two men tried to move a tank of the gas with a forklift and a wrecker.

About 100 homes were evacuated when propane seeped into the air in eastern Floyd County Monday night.

They were kept away from their homes for about five hours, as firefighters and emergency crews monitored the leak.

Roger Barton told the Rome News-Tribune he had no intention of causing any harm when he and another man tried to move the 1,000-gallon tank at a local business.

But a valve broke, causing hundreds of gallons of propane to seep into the air.

Authorities say the two men were arrested on a charge of reckless conduct, and both were released from jail on a $1,350 bond.

Tags: environment, Rome, Floyd County, Propane Leak, Rome News-Tribune, Barton