Traffic diverted around South Loop gas leak

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Updated: January 13, 2012 10:16AM

Traffic may be diverted around the scene of a reported gas leak in the South Loop until at least 10:30 a.m. Friday.

Police and fire crews blocked the area of the 1200 to 1400 blocks of South Canal Street to vehicle and foot traffic because of a gas leak Friday morning, police News Affairs Officer Robert Perez said.

According to unconfirmed dispatch reports, a gas main was struck by a private snowplow, causing the leak. As a precautionary measure, a BNSF building at 1432 W. 14th St. was evacuated. As of about 9:40 a.m., according to unconfirmed reports, Canal Street was expected to be closed to traffic until at least 10:30 a.m.

There was no fire and no injuries reported, Perez said.

A People’s Gas representative was not immediately available for comment.