Gas leak forces evacuation of Riverside Square Plaza in Coral Springs after landscaping crew hits line
Coral Springs, Florida – A gas leak at a busy Coral Springs shopping center Tuesday morning forced businesses to close temporarily and sent shoppers and employees outside while emergency crews worked to secure a damaged gas line.
The incident happened at Riverside Square Plaza, located at 8200 Wiles Road, after a landscaping crew accidentally struck a gas line behind Publix. The damage caused a leak and prompted authorities to evacuate the entire shopping center as a precaution.
According to Coral Springs Police spokesman Ryan Himmel, the leak began at about 10:30 a.m. Crews were able to secure the damaged line by approximately 11:15 a.m., meaning the plaza remained evacuated for just under an hour.
The evacuation was not limited to the area immediately surrounding the damaged line. Everyone inside the plaza was asked to leave while emergency personnel assessed the situation and worked to make the area safe.
For businesses at the center, the incident meant an unexpected interruption during the late-morning hours. Shoppers who had come to the plaza for groceries, errands or other services also had to temporarily leave until authorities gave the all-clear.
The Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department responded to the scene along with Coral Springs police. A hazardous materials team was also called in as crews dealt with the damaged line and monitored conditions around the leak.
Gas leaks can require a broad emergency response because of the potential danger posed by escaping gas, particularly in a commercial area where large numbers of people may be present. In this case, officials cleared the shopping center while crews focused on stopping the leak and determining when it was safe for people to return.
Once emergency crews confirmed that the leak was under control, shoppers and workers were allowed back into the plaza. Businesses were then able to resume operations following the temporary closure.
Police also warned motorists to expect minor traffic delays in the area while the emergency response was underway. The incident temporarily affected activity along Wiles Road, although the disruption was limited to the response period.
The damaged line was located behind Publix, but the decision to evacuate the entire plaza demonstrated the precautionary approach taken by emergency officials. Rather than allowing people to remain inside other businesses, authorities cleared the shopping center until the situation could be properly assessed.
By late morning, the immediate threat had been addressed and the plaza was reopened. The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly routine work at a commercial property can lead to a wider emergency response when underground utility lines are damaged.
No further disruption was reported after the gas line was secured and the evacuation ended.
