KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) - Both the Lenoir City Utilities Board and the Knoxville Utilities Board Tuesday addressed the impact of a natural gas explosion that occurred over the weekend on customers. 

A natural gas line ruptured on Saturday near Stone Branch Road in Pleasant Shade, Smith County, causing an explosion. No one was injured but five families had to evacuate.

"We always knew it was a possibility, but never expected it to happen," said Scott Wilmore, a resident of Pleasant Shade. 

LCUB General Manager M. Shannon Littleton, along with Lenoir City Mayor Tony Aiken and the LCUB Board of Directors, issued general statements Tuesday on a natural gas line rupture in Smith County that impacts services to LCUB natural gas customers.

"The most impact customers are going to see is the rise in the natural gas prices to their home or business," Littleton said. "The action a customer could take at this point is simply turn the thermostat back or take some other action to limit your use in order to save consumption which will ultimately keep your bill from fluctuating."

Littleton provided the most recent information available surrounding the event, the process for repair, how the event may impact LCUB natural gas customers, as well as other pertinent information that will inform LCUB customers.

Knoxville Utilities Board has also been affected. While natural gas services have not been interrupted, KUB asks that customers who can reduce their natural gas usage Tuesday to do so until further notice.

According to a KUB release, they do not expect natural gas rates to increase. 

The 22-inch natural gas line that exploded is owned by Enbridge, Inc. 

Smith County Emergency Management says the gas line has been shut off and the explosion remains under investigation by the natural gas company.