A natural gas leak in the area of Locust and Central avenues in Hollister forced the evacuation of some homes and those outside of the area near Locust and Virginia Street were asked to shelter in place while crews worked to mitigate the leak.

The Hollister Police Department reported that the Hollister Fire Department located the gas leak near a meter shortly after arriving on-scene around 7:30 p.m. Monday.

An evacuation center was opened at the Veterans Memorial Building (649 San Benito St. in downtown Hollister for those affected in the immediate area. 

Updates to follow.