Gas Leak Closes Streets In San Francisco's Castro District
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS/BCN) -- Part of San Francisco's Castro Street was still blocked off to vehicles Thursday evening following a gas leak Thursday afternoon that prompted several buildings to evacuate, police said.
The leak was capped around 3:05 p.m., but streets remained closed to vehicles as of 6:30 p.m., according to spokespersons at PG&E and San Francisco police.
KCBS' Doug Sovern Reports:
A private contractor hit a high-pressure gas line with a backhoe at 12:53 p.m. while working at 18th and Castro streets, San Francisco police spokesman Michael Andraychek said.
"I'd never experienced anything like that," said Andraychek, who was walking at the scene of the incident shortly after the leak was reported.
"I could smell it pretty strongly from Market and Castro streets, which is about a block away," he said. "The noise from the escaping gas was extremely loud and intense. I could feel pressure on my ears from the noise."
PG&E crews dug with their hands at the site of the leak to get it stopped as soon as possible, Andraychek said.
After the leak was capped, businesses and residences that had been evacuated were allowed back into their buildings, but vehicles were still not allowed on Castro Street between Market and 18th streets as of 6:30 p.m.
At the time of the leak, 19th Street between Douglas and Hartford streets was closed, and Castro Street from Market and 19th streets was closed.
The 400 and 500 blocks of Castro Street were also closed, Andraychek said. He said that about a half-block radius—which makes up about 60 businesses—was evacuated from the site of the leak.
About seven businesses lost gas service as a result of the leak, but crews expected to restore service at 6 p.m., PG&E spokeswoman Katie Romans said.
No injuries were reported.
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