Gas leak prompts evacuation of Antioch businesses

ANTIOCH (BCN) Four Antioch businesses were evacuated when a contractor broke a natural gas line this afternoon, according to PG&E and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

Nobody was injured during the incident, which happened near West 10th Avenue and Auto Center Drive.

PG&E spokeswoman Tamar Sarkissian said a contractor who wasn't affiliated with the utility company hit a gas distribution line just after noon.

PG&E workers arrived and were able to stop the gas leak around 2 p.m. Repairs will likely continue into the evening, Sarkissian said.

Eastbound 10th Avenue was closed at Auto Center Drive during the repair work.

California residents who want to dig should set up a free visit from the utility company to mark where the lines are, Sarkissian said.

"We always encourage anybody doing digging work to call 811 before starting," she said.