Pinecrest Gas Leak Causes Evacuation

PINECREST, FL -- A construction crew struck a gas line in Pinecrest Thursday, causing service to be shut down in the area and a number of homes to be evacuated. Traffic was still shut down in the area Friday.

A spokesperson for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said the incident happened around 3:50 p.m. Thursday at SW 112 Street and SW 77 Avenue.

"Our first-arriving units found a construction crew had hit an 18-inch main gas line," said the agency spokesperson. "Units quickly identified and notified the gas company and the gas line was shut down from a remote location."

First responders set up a hose line and stayed on the scene as a precautionary measure.

"Nearby homes were evacuated," said the agency spokesperson. "Our hazardous material units continuously monitored the air in the area after the gas leak was contained to ensure there was no residual gas and the area was safe for residents to return home."

The gas took about 90 minutes to dissipate, according to the spokesperson. "Once the gas levels were low enough, the residents were able to return home."