A construction crew working at the AAA Care Car site in the 2500 block of Harlem Avenue in North Riverside struck a Nicor gas line late Tuesday morning, prompting safety officials to evacuate the Costco shopping center and nearby Famous Dave’s.
As late as 1:30 p.m., the gas could still be heard rushing from the broken main as Nicor crews arrived to fix the leak. Fire personnel from North Riverside, Forest Park, River Forest, Berwyn and Riverside as well as police were on hand to secure the scene.
According to North Riverside deputy Police Chief Deborah Garcia, a crew digging on the west side of the construction site ruptured the gas main at about 11:35 a.m. At 12:05 p.m., North Riverside issued a Hazmat alarm and evacuated nearby businesses.
Police blocked off entrances to the Costco shopping center. There was no immediate word on when the shopping center might reopen. While Famous Dave’s was evacuated, stores in the North Riverside Plaza along 25th Street appeared to be open.
