A ruptured gas main caused a leak outside a San Jacinto business Thursday that prompted mandatory evacuations throughout the immediate area, as well as other precautionary measures, while technicians worked to repair the breach.
The natural gas leak was reported at 11:25 a.m. Thursday near the intersection of North State Street and West Esplanade Avenue, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency reported that multiple engine crews were sent to the location and confirmed that an eight-inch-diameter line had been punctured, resulting in a wide dispersal of gas.
Shortly before 1 p.m., authorities implemented mandatory evacuations that affected all businesses in the vicinity.
Sheriff’s deputies and Hemet Police Department personnel closed access to the intersection and implemented other traffic controls for public safety, according to reports from the scene.
SoCal Gas Co. technicians arrived by 1 p.m. to initiate repairs.
There was no immediate word on what might have caused the main to break.