A gas leak in the 800 block of Broad Street in Chattanooga forced the evacuation of several hundred downtown workers this morning. A contractor working for the Chattanooga Gas Company was installing a new service line to the Capital Mark Bank and Trust building when they inadvertently broke a two-inch gas line shortly before 10:00 a.m. The workers immediately cleared the construction site and called 911.

The Chattanooga Fire Department arrived moments later, and with the help of Chattanooga police, blocked off the 800 block of both Broad and Chestnut streets. To ensure the safety of the people in the buildings, Battalion Chief Mack Moore also ordered the evacuation of several bank buildings, restaurants and other shops in the affected area. Some buildings, such as the Sheraton Read House, evacuated the occupants on their own.

Technicians with the Chattanooga Gas Company arrived a few minutes later and had the gas leak shut off at 10:25 a.m. After ventilating the Capital Mark Building and monitoring the air quality in other buildings, the workers were allowed back inside their buildings. No injuries were reported.