Peoples Gas crews were called to a neighborhood on Chicago's South Side Wednesday night to look into a gas leak after residents reported hearing a loud booming noise and a hissing sound.
"You could physically see a dust-like, storm-like whirl up in the air," said one resident.
Several homes in the area of East 79th Street and South Crandon Avenue were evacuated as a precautionary measure, Peoples Gas spokeswoman Jennifer Block told NBC Chicago.
Authorities said nearby South Shore Hospital was not affected.
"A warming bus was made available while our technicians turned off the flow of gas and ventilated four multi unit buildings," Block said in an email. "Customers are back in their homes and service has been restored to properties where customers gave access for appliances to be checked and safely relit."
There was no word on a cause of the leak as of 6 a.m.
