Gas leak causes evacuation of 10 homes

Firefighters evacuated 10 Costa Mesa homes because of a gas leak Friday, authorities said.

The leak was reported at about 11:50 a.m. in the 1500 block of Redlands Place after a construction crew punctured a 3/4-inch gas line while excavating on a lot, according to Costa Mesa Fire Department Battalion Chief Fred Seguin and Southern California Gas Co. spokeswoman Angela Sentiman.

Because it was an active flow, firefighters from Costa Mesa and Newport Beach evacuated the area, he said.

The gas company clamped the line and residents were able to return to their homes within about 45 minutes, Seguin said.

Gas company workers were able to get the flow of gas under control by 12:32 p.m. and streets reopened at 12:50 p.m., Sentiman said.

Gas service to three homes was cut off. It was restored to one of the homes after the repairs were made. Two other homes will have their gas turned on when the residents are home to make sure the appliances are safe, she said.

No injuries were reported.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30