LINCOLN, Neb. -- Thieves looking for copper in abandoned homes have recently caused gas leaks that endangered others, Lincoln police said.

Tom Perry said he got a surprise on Wednesday when he went to check an abandoned property his company manages.

"As soon as I hit the door, I smelled gas," Perry said.

He said he quickly backed off and called the gas company and the fire department. They blocked off the whole area until gas could be shut off and the house cleared.

"I'm glad I didn't have a cigarette in my hand," Perry said.

The leak was found where a would-be thief broke in and tried to remove the copper pipe, and in the process crimped the gas line, Perry said.

Lincoln police said it wasn't the only house where copper thieves hit gas lines. Three weeks ago, a person checking an abandoned house in another part of Lincoln smelled gas.

"They're just cutting it out, mostly, for the price of copper as scrap," said Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Sellon.

Sellon said these types of gas leaks could easily level a house.

"If they would have been generating any type of heat or smoking, absolutely it's a very dangerous situation," Sellon said.

Investigators said the gas had been shut off to the furnace in both houses, but the main line from the street had not been shut off.