Gas leak causes evacuation in Irvine [updated]

A gas leak in Irvine closed roads and evacuated a high school and a nearby apartment complex after a construction worker struck a gas line with a backhoe Wednesday, authorities said.

The incident was reported to the Orange County Fire Authority about 11:36 a.m. near Yale Avenue and Portola Parkway, said OCFA Battalion Chief Kris Concepcion.

As a precaution, Northwood High School, the Timberwood apartment complex and the area near Portola and Culver Drive were evacuated and closed off, Concepcion said.

No one was injured in the incident, and residents who had been evacuated from the area were permitted back in their homes about 5:20 p.m. Thursday.

The line that was struck was an 8-inch medium pressure main, Concepcion said.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30