SAN DIEGO — City water-utilities workers accidentally ruptured a natural gas line in the Chollas Creek area Thursday, forcing the evacuation of nearly two dozen surrounding homes for several hours as crews made repairs.

The non-injury mishap in the 2600 block of Balboa Vista Drive occurred just before 9 a.m., according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

Emergency personnel cleared everyone out of 22 homes while a San Diego Gas & Electric crew was en route to fix the ruptured pipe, SDFRD spokesman Maurice Luque said.

The gas leak was halted about 11:30 a.m., at which point authorities cleared residents to return to their homes.