About 100 Ocean Beach forced to evacuate by a gas leak in their neighborhood were allowed to return home, but some 100 other residents remained displaced Tuesday morning.
The residents were cleared out after someone reported a strong smell of natural gas on Bacon Street near Santa Cruz Avenue shortly before 7 p.m. Monday, San Diego police and utility officials said. The cause of the gas leak remains unknown.
It was unclear when the displaced residents would be allowed back into their homes, but fire department spokesman Lee Swanson said it would likely be "sooner rather than later."
The release of gas was controlled shortly before 11 p.m. Monday, San Diego Gas & Electric spokeswoman Whitney Eshelman said. SDG&E and county Hazmat crews had spot checked the repopulated homes for residual built up gas before allowing residents to enter, Swanson said. However, the cause of the gas leak remains unknown.
Electricity in the area, which was shut off for safety reasons, is expected to be restored by about 9 a.m., SDG&E said.
"The evacuations remain in effect until the impacted area is made safe for customers to return and power can be safely restored," Eshelman said.
The American Red Cross has set up temporary shelter at the Ocean Beach Recreation Center and a food truck for residents at Del Monte Avenue and Bacon Street.
