Homes and businesses in part of San Francisco's Mission District were evacuated for about two hours Wednesday because of a gas leak, authorities said.
The leak was reported at 10:39 a.m. near 24th and Bryant streets by an off-duty firefighter, fire spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge said.
Buildings within a one-block radius of the leak were evacuated just before 11 a.m., fire officials said. Everyone was back by 1 p.m.
PG&E spokesman Joe Molica said a contractor struck and ruptured a 2-inch plastic line in the middle of the intersection, at a spot where many lines connect.
PG&E crews were assisting firefighters with evacuations and are working to squeeze the line shut, Molica said. "Our first priority is get the flow of gas stopped," he said.
He estimated that the leak would be stopped by around 2:30 p.m.
After the leak is capped, crews will determine how many customers may have had their gas service interrupted, and then will work on making repairs. In the meantime, the area is shut down to traffic, Talmadge said. San Francisco Municipal Railway's 48-Quintara bus line has been rerouted because of the incident, Muni spokesman Paul Rose said.
