Lauderhill gas leak affects nearby businesses

A gas leak at a former Denny’s restaurant in Lauderhill caused about eight businesses to be evacuated Monday afternoon, authorities said.

At about 4:40 p.m., a caller reported the smell of gas in the vicinity of Northwest 56th Avenue and West Oakland Park Boulevard, Capt. Jerry Gonzalez of Lauderhill Fire-Rescue said.

The leak was capped in less than an hour, he said.

The site where the leak was found is currently under construction, Gonzalez said.

About eight businesses and a coin laundry in the area were evacuated. The eastbound lanes of Oakland Park Boulevard were detoured for a brief period, Gonzalez said.

A hazmat team secured the leak at about 5:30 p.m. No one was injured, Gonzalez said.

“We just capped it about five minutes ago and we’re letting the people in right now,” Gonzalez said at about 5:40 p.m.