Elgin intersection reopened after gas leak

The intersection of Bowes and McLean Boulevard on Elgin's south side has been reopened after a natural gas leak forced its closure for more than three hours.

A construction crew was excavating at 11:30 a.m. Monday when a backhoe struck a 4-inch high pressure gas transfer line in the southeast section of the intersection near the border with South Elgin.

No one was injured, but traffic at the normally busy intersection was closed.

A South Elgin firefighter said about 15 residents in the area were evacuated; few people were found in the homes in the area.

NICOR was on the scene making repairs to the gas line, and gas had been turned off to eight homes in the area.

"Considering the amount of potential danger, no one was burned and no major damage was done," Elgin Fire Department Battalion Chief Tim Michaels said.