Gas fire closes part of Wash. hospital

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- A leak in a gas line in Washington Tuesday caused a fire that forced George Washington University Hospital to evacuate its emergency room, fire officials said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries but flames were shooting several feet into the air from the street and from a car that was destroyed in the blaze.

Traffic in the Foggy Bottom section of Washington, about seven blocks west of the White House, was snarled because of streets clogged with emergency equipment.

One witness said the street near 23rd and George Washington Circle was buckling.