Emergency crews are responding to a large gas leak caused by a construction crew that has prompted the evacuation of a school and homes and shut down roads in Lake Bluff.
The Lake Bluff Police Department and Lake Bluff Fire Department responded around 11:53 a.m. Tuesday to the area of 8 West Scranton Avenue for a report of an odor investigation.
Fire crews arrived and reported a strong smell of natural gas spanning the entire block.
Police said a construction crew is believed to have ruptured a gas main at a residence in the 600 block of Mawman Avenue.
North Shore Gas was requested with an expedited response. The gas company arrived at the scene around 12:10 p.m.
Officers have shut down the area to traffic and Forest Bluff School, located at 8 West Scranton Avenue, was evacuated as a precaution.
The students were relocated to the Lake Bluff Public Library while emergency crews were on the scene working with the gas company, police said.
Residents in the 600-700 block of Mawman Avenue and Rockland Avenue are also being evacuated. Residents were also warned to not start any vehicles or outdoor appliances.
Displaced residents are being allowed to use the village’s Public Safety Center community room.
Police said they are hopeful the leak will be mitigated “very shortly.”