Updated with Video: Gas Leak Shuts Down Morse Avenue

UPDATED (Video below): A gas leak "forced" the closing of Morse Avenue at 9:20 p.m. last night. Contrary to some other reports, The Bench learned that the leak was actually "minor," according to Peoples Gas employees on the scene. This was NOT a "major gas leak."

In what may have been an overreaction, Chicago Police and Fire completely shut down Morse Ave. between N. Sheridan and N. Glenwood, and forced the evacuation of pizza shop JB Alberto's. The street was shut down for about an hour. JB's was evacuated at 9:15. Shortly thereafter, Peoples Gas told police and fire officials that the pizzeria could reopen and even keep their ovens going, because the leak was insignificant.

The leak was coming from one of two pipes underground in the vacant lot next to JB Alberto's, whose owners also own the lot. An old single family house was torn down on the lot Monday morning. The demolition contractor got the green light from the City of Chicago, with all permitting approved prioro to demolition and digging. But when the contractor noticed two gas lines instead of one, which was not indicated on Peoples Gas's 50-year records, they called People's Gas. That was Monday. Peoples Gas said twice that they would come to inspect, but never did until after the gas leak was called in.