Contractor Ruptures Gas Line in Downtown Area; Prompts Temporary Evacuation

At approximately 11:04 Saturday, October 8, a contractor ruptured a gas line while attempting to lay a fiber optics line to the Rotary Center located at 1560 Sherman Ave. in downtown Evanston.
Utility workers hit a gas main on Grove Street near the intersection of Sherman Avenue, according to Fire and Life Safety Services Deputy Chief Tom Janetske said. No one was injured in the incident, but authorities did evacuate the Rotary International Building and several surrounding buildings and storefronts.

Emergency personnel and various utility crews were on the scene to measure air quality levels and repair the leak. Authorities had to close Grove Street from Chicago Avenue to the CTA tracks.