Gas leak forces evacuation of Vernon Hills strip mall

Unsafe levels of natural gas caused a Vernon Hills strip mall to be evacuated Monday morning, firefighters said.

Countryside Fire Protection District firefighters responded at 9:30 a.m. to a strip mall on the 200 block of Evergreen Drive for a natural gas leak, fire officials said.

Firefighters monitored the businesses within the strip mall and found unsafe explosive limits of natural gas. Occupants were relocated to the village hall across the street.

Crews discovered a leak outside the building and worked with utility companies to get the gas shut off and the leak repaired. Firefighters remained on the scene for about four hours.