Gas Leak Forces Temporary Evacuation of Banning City Hall

A natural gas line break forced the temporary evacuation of Banning City Hall Wednesday, while occupants of a nearby home and a business were ordered to shelter in place.

The leak was reported at 9:23 a.m. near the intersection of First and West Hays streets, Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Jody Hagemann said.

A Southern California Gas Gas Co. crew responded to the scene, and capped the leak by late morning. Ann Silva of the Gas Co. said the 2-inch plastic main was damaged by a private contractor doing construction work in the area. She reminded companies and residents to call 811 before doing any digging to prevent damage to utility lines.

Occupants were ordered out of Banning City Hall as a precaution, but they were allowed to return a short time later, Hagemann said.

No injuries were reported and no Gas Co. customers lost service, officials said.

— By City News Service.