Natural gas leak in Seattle's U District prompts evacuations

SEATTLE (AP) — A natural gas leak at a construction site in Seattle's University District is prompting evacuations.

The Seattle Fire Department responded to Northeast 45th Street and Brooklyn Avenue Northeast around 1:45 p.m. Monday.

Buildings including the University of Washington Tower are being evacuated.

An evacuation zone was set around the leak and then expanded. Seattle Fire is asking people to avoid the area.

Puget Sound Energy crews arrived on scene at 2:30 p.m.

Last week, a gas leak in Seattle led to evacuations and injured three Puget Sound Energy workers. Seattle Fire says contractors were digging in the area using an excavator, which hit and ruptured a line.