Chicago Gas Maine Break Forces Evacuations

CHICAGO (AP) -- A construction crew ruptured a gas main Friday, igniting a fire that forced the evacuation of dozens of homes south of the Loop, a Chicago Fire Department spokeswoman said.

The construction crew severed a four-inch pipe while digging a hole, according to Peoples Energy Corp. spokeswoman Elizabeth Castro. Peoples Energy crews worked to shut down gas to the area.

Fire department crews poured water on the plume of fire to keep it under control, according to spokeswoman Rosa Escareno.

Because of the location of the fire, nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution, Escareno said, adding that no had been reported injured in the incident.