Gas leak in downtown Houston forces evacuation of high-rise

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A residential high rise was evacuated for about an hour as firefighters tried to cap a gas leak in downtown Houston.

Just before noon Friday, construction crews hit a gas line outside of the Houston House residential building. The building manager sounded the fire alarms and everyone was told to evacuate quickly.

Houston's hazardous materials response team moved in.

They blocked off several blocks around the area and brought in METRO buses to keep the residents out of the heat.

Meanwhile, CenterPoint Energy crews checked for any lingering gas in the area as crews worked to fix the leak.

"Very scary, because if anyone walking by and lit something or a car engine, it could have taken out that who building. But it happens, nothing you can do about it really," resident Mike Gibbons said.

No injuries were reported.