Gas leak evacuates part of Downtown

The Santa Monica Fire Department HazMat team was responding to the site of what was described as a "major gas leak" on Monday afternoon, in the area of Santa Monica Boulevard between 2nd and 4th Streets.
As of 4:30 p.m., no injuries were reported due to the leak, which called for the evacuation of several blocks in the popular shopping district. Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) reported no residences were affected by the evacuation.
SMPD reported a construction crew digging in the area hit a two-inch gas line around 3 p.m. and the leak was still active as of 4:45 p.m. The scene was in standby while SoCal Gas crews were en route to trench out the area and seal the leak.
Initial reports from SMPD estimated repairs would take about five hours, but a spokesperson later said it may be longer.
All businesses along the Promenade in the area of the closure (roughly between Broadway and Arizona) were closed Monday afternoon while the area was being secured.