Gas Leak In Murrieta's New Vineyard Shopping Center Forces Evacuations

MURRIETA, CA — A natural gas leak late Friday morning at The Vineyard shopping center across from Vista Murrieta High School prompted some evacuations but no injuries were reported.

SoCalGas officials were on scene shoring up the leak that was reported around 10 a.m. near Whitewood Road in the northeast section of the center at the new Aldi supermarket construction site.

"Nearby residents have been contacted regarding evacuations or sheltering in place," Murrieta Fire & Rescue reported on social media. The agency said it would provide updates via social media.

The Vineyard shopping center at Clinton Keith Road and Interstate 215 continues to expand, with more businesses set to open this year, including the August opening of a new 151,000-square-foot Costco warehouse store.