Evacuations are recommended due to a gas leak in SF Bayview

Residents in an area of ​​San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood were ordered to evacuate Tuesday after construction crews damaged a natural gas pipeline, authorities said.

Around 10:30 a.m., a construction crew excavating the site came across a natural gas line on Paul Ave. 200 and damaged it, said Jason King, a spokesman for Pacific Gas and Electric Co. The crew was not affiliated with the utility, King said.

At 3:50 p.m., PG&E recommended a precautionary evacuation of homes south of Paul Avenue between Crane and Carr streets, particularly on Crane, Exeter and Gould streets, said Justin Schorr, a spokesman for the San Francisco Fire Department.

PG&E will shut off gas flow in the area to repair the damaged line. About 2,700 customers will lose gas service starting about 6 p.m., and an estimated time for restoration is unknown, King said.

Some residents were hesitant to evacuate because of Tuesday's extreme heat, so city police ordered air-conditioned Muni buses to be sent to the area as emergency shelters, Schorr said.

Affected residents were asked to evacuate along Salinas Avenue toward Bayshore Boulevard, where a Muni bus was stationed at U-Haul at 1575 Bayshore Blvd, fire officials said.

There were no injuries or adverse exposures reported in connection with the gas leak, Schorr said.

King encouraged the public to call 811 before digging underground to avoid future gas leaks.

Reach Maliya Ellis: [email protected]