A construction crew using a backhoe ruptured a gas line in the area of Pacific Avenue and Laurel Street shortly after noon, fire spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge said.
The fire department evacuated some buildings in the area, she said.
PG&E spokesman Joe Molica said the construction workers were doing some excavation work on Pacific Avenue between Laurel and Walnut streets when they "struck and tore open a 2-inch gas main."
PG&E was notified of the leak by the fire department at 12:22 p.m. and a PG&E crew arrived at the scene at 12:34 p.m., he said.
The repair crew was digging on both sides of the ruptured main to access the leak and stop the flow of gas, Molica said. The leak was capped shortly after 1 p.m.
He said one PG&E customer's gas service has been interrupted, but that it should be restored later this afternoon after final repairs to the gas line are completed.
Residents who were evacuated are being let back into their homes, and Pacific Avenue, which was closed as emergency crews responded, has reopened, Molica said.
"These incidents show the importance of using safe digging practices," he said.
Anyone planning to dig is urged to call 811 beforehand for the location of utility lines and safety tips.
