Natural gas leak in parking lot of Old Orchard mall in Skokie

Emergency crews responded after a construction crew struck a natural gas line Tuesday near a busy north suburban shopping mall.

The gas line was struck about noon on the southeast side of Westfield Old Orchard mall, according to Skokie police.

The break occurred under the parking lot next to Nordstrom’s, according to witnesses. Stores at the mall remained open.

Several areas of the parking lot were closed, and some shoppers were not allowed to return to their vehicles while Nicor responded.

The Skokie Fire Department is on standby, police said. No injuries or road closures were reported.

Police said the incident was concluding about 4 p.m. and that officers were no longer at the scene.