Gas Line Rupture in Hollywood Forces Evacuations From 6 Buildings

— -- A ruptured gas line on a Los Angeles street caused the evacuation of over 100 people from nearby buildings.

Crews from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power punctured the gas line in the 1700 block of N. Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood, ABC News' station KABC reported. Workers were installing a water sample on a water main when their backhoe ruptured the line Saturday.

"We were prospecting over that mark,” said Kirk Broyard of the LADWP, "and what we did is excavate three-and-a-half feet away from it to basically take the soil from where their mark is and throw it into a different location, and in the process we came in contact with their gas main."

Los Angeles Fire Department officials said that over 100 people were evacuated from six buildings; 35 people were directed to a shelter. The department said there were no reports of injuries or fire.

As a result of the rupture, Cahuenga Boulevard was closed to traffic and is expected to stay that way overnight, with crews staying at the scene as a precaution in case of a fire.