A leaking propane tank forced the evacuation of a number of homes in a quiet neighborhood of Scarsdale Tuesday afternoon.

Officials say the 500-pound, underground tank was used to heat a house at 11 Mayflower Road. They say that at around 1 p.m., workers from Suburban Propane were working on the tank when its cap blew off, spewing propane into air.

The homeowners were in the process of converting from propane to natural gas. Officials say propane was being emptied from the tank, which is located in the home's rear, when the incident occurred.

Fire officials say the tank was about 55 percent full when its cap blew.

Residents who live several blocks away from the home reported that they could smell the gas.

ConEd has shut off electricity in several homes in the area to cut down on possible ignition sources. Several roads in the surrounding area have been closed. There is no word on when the power will be restored, when the roads will reopen or when evacuated residents will be allowed to return home.

No injuries have been reported.