Gas Leak~

111th and Spaulding. Some homes being evacuated.

From Chicagobreakingnews.com

About 20 homes and businesses in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood were evacuated for about a half hour this morning because of a gas line rupture, officials said.

A contractor hit the line in the vicinity of 111th Street and Spaulding Avenue on the Far Southwest Side despite the area being marked, said Peoples Gas spokeswoman Bonnie Johnson.

The Fire Department declared a hazardous materials situation about 9:15 a.m. and ordered the evacuations. But the line was capped and people were allowed to return to their homes and workplaces by 9:45 a.m.

But as of noon, 70 customers remained without gas, Johnson said. She expected service to be restored later this afternoon.