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Seaside Fire Capt. Linus Alcoran walks past the site of a severed gas line as emergency personnel, construction workers and PG&E staff members respond to the break in front of the City Center Plaza in Seaside on Thursday.

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A gas line was broken in Seaside early Thursday, prompting evacuation of six businesses and block-long closures on Broadway Avenue and Fremont Boulevard.

A backhoe working on a service line to the City Center Plaza broke a gas line on Fremont about 11 a.m.

Police and fire crews responded.

"When we got there, there was a strong odor of gas in the entire area," fire Battalion Chief Chris Reitenour said.

Streets were closed for a block in each direction, and buildings were evacuated.

Firefighters found gas had gotten into a nearby building, which was emptied while the structure was ventilated, Reitenour said.

Everything reopened by 12:15 p.m.

"No one was hurt. It was mainly an inconvenience," Reitenour said.