Gas Main Break Forces Mall Evacuation

Parts of a Carmel Valley shopping mall were evacuated, a nearby school was sheltered, and surrounding traffic was diverted Friday morning due to a natural gas leak.

The gas main break occurred shortly after 9 a.m. near Del Mar Highlands Town Center at Townsgate Drive and Kelsford Place.

A construction crew accidentally broke the 1 1/2 inch gas line, said Lane Woolery, San Diego Fire and Rescue battalion chief.

"We established fire fighting lines in case the line ignited, and we evacuated some occupancies," said Woolery, who could not say how many mall stores were closed. "We also had the school across the street shelter in place where we kept the students inside."

The leak was stopped and the evacuation was cleared at about 10:30 a.m.

Officials first reported the gas main's size as 4 inches in size but later corrected the figure.

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