Gas leak prompts evacuation of 9 buildings in Queens

RICHMOND HILL, Queens (WABC) -- A gas leak in Queens Monday morning prompted the evacuation of nine buildings and affected subway service.

The incident happened on Liberty Avenue in Richmond Hill at 7:43 a.m. with a gas leak in a Con Edison vault.

The buildings on the south side of the street -- mostly three-story buildings with businesses on the first floor and apartments above -- were evacuated, from 118-02 to 118-20.

The elevated A train runs down Liberty Avenue, and service was temporarily suspended between Rockaway Boulevard and Ozone Park-Lefferts Boulevard in both directions.

Liberty Avenue was temporarily closed from 118th Street to Lefferts Boulevard, with the street and buildings reopening and subway service resuming around noontime.

National Grid and Con Edison crews worked to shut off the leak, and power had to be shut off for approximately 40 customers in the area.

No injuries were reported.