Chicago hospital partially evacuated due to gas leak

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A portion of Thorek Memorial Hospital in the city's Lakeview neighborhood was evacuated Sunday evening due to a Freon gas leak.

Workers smelled an odor and called the fire department to the hospital, located at 850 West Irving Park Road.

"The hospital has a Freon system that was filled earlier today and experienced a leak in some tubing," said Glen Lyman, Chicago Fire Department's deputy district chief.

The basement and first floor of the hospital were evacuated at about 6:30 p.m.

"The chemical was identified as Freon which is heavier than air so the floors above the first floor we isolated everyone in place. At no time in the hospital was anyone in in any danger," Lyman said.

Firefighters said it took about 30 minutes to isolate and secure the leak in the basement. No one was injured.

"My understanding from the hospital, albeit a Sunday night worked in their favor. The pharmacy and everything was shut down in the basement so there was very minimal, if any, people in the basement itself," Lyman said.

Authorities didn't immediately know what caused the leak.