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Gas leak forces evacuation and traffic delays in Fort Lauderdale

A gas line was ruptured during construction of a parking lot at a Fort Lauderdale marine business Wednesday, causing evacuation of the store and jamming traffic at the end of the morning rush hour.

A 1.5 inch PVC pipe was about two feet underground when struck about 9 a.m., sending a cloud of natural gas into the humid air at a Boat Owners Warehouse store near Southwest Third Avenue and State Road 84, fire officials said.

"The gas line feeds an emergency generator," said Steve Baum, president and co-owner of the Boat Owners Warehouse.

No injuries were reported.