Gas leak prompts temporary evacuation in San Francisco neighborhood, SFFD says

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Dozens of families were forced from their homes in San Francisco Saturday when a gas pipe was ruptured in the area of 47th Avenue and Balboa Street. Those neighborhood evacuations lasted hours until the leak was finally stopped.

A geyser of water and gas was shooting up from the pavement on 47th Avenue in San Francisco.

"And we all ran. They told us to split, you know, so I smelled gas instantly," said neighbor Christian Bertsch.

Bertsch was having a garage sale across the street from where he says a city crew was repairing a water leak.

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"I came out this morning. There's a big water leak all night long, and the water department finally showed up and started taking care of it. About 10:30 or 11 they hit the gas line," Bertsch said.

"Upon our arrival we could confirm city workers were doing street work. They struck a four-inch gas line which caused this rupture," said San Francisco Fire Captain Jonathan Baxter.

As a precaution, police and fire crews evacuated neighbors in a two-block area around the around leak.

"It's extremely scary. You can hear the loud hissing, smell the gas. It's out there," Baxter said.

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"It was like standing in your kitchen and turning on the stove without igniting it. It was heavy duty," said Greg Bailey.

By 2 p.m., PG&E was able to shut off the gas leak. Evacuation orders were soon lifted. Repairs on the gas and water pipes continue. A frustrating and frightening day for Bertsch.

"It was real scary. Real nervous," Bertsch said.