Natural Gas Leak In Winchester Prompts Evacuations

TEMECULA, CA — A leak in a natural gas distribution line forced evacuations in Winchester Monday.

The leak was reported at 9:45 a.m. Monday at Skyview and Winchester roads in Winchester.

Winchester Road — between Whisper Heights Parkway and Algarve Avenue /Blue Spruce Lane — was closed due to the incident, and evacuations were issued for Skyview Road, Mirabella Court and Alicante Loop, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

A fire department spokeswoman said firefighters implemented precautionary evacuations of more than 100 condos because of the potential fire hazard.

Southern California Gas Company crews were on scene for several hours to fix the leak, and at 1:10 p.m. Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department reported that repairs were completed.

The gas company's spokesman Adam Eventov told City News Service that a crew was digging at the site and punctured a four-inch line, causing natural gas to escape.

There were no reports of injuries.

An initial report from Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department incorrectly indicated the incident was at Skyline Drive.

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