A ruptured gas main caused a leak outside a San Jacinto business Thursday that prompted mandatory evacuations throughout the 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 said 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, along with an unspecified number of surrounding residences.
The evacuation zone was identified as north to Fruitvale Avenue, south to Seventh Street, west to Santa Fe Avenue, and east to Palm Avenue.
An estimated 85 people were evacuated. The fire department opened a care and reception center at Tahquitz High School, located at 4425 Titan Trail, in Hemet.
Sheriff’s deputies and Hemet Police Department personnel closed access to streets leading into the evacuation zone for public safety.
SoCal Gas Co. technicians arrived by 1 p.m. to initiate repairs, which were still underway as of 2:10 p.m.
There was no word on what might have caused the main to break.
Is it fixed yet?